Memphis’ Southern Avenue has just released their sophomore effort, Keep On and in a word, they do just that – they keep on. Their self-titled debut in 2017 turned a lot of heads and made people sit up and take notice; the talent of this young band could not be discounted – they have it in tremendous amounts and they have the “feel” that it takes; they make it real.

Fronted by Memphis-born vocalist, Tierinii Jackson, Israeli guitar phenom, Ori Naftaly, and rounded out by Ms. Jackson’s drummer sister Tikyra Jackson, and keyboardist Jeremy Powell, they are a tight, cohesive and powerful unit – one glimpse of them live will tell you everything. Keep On includes guest appearances by Stax legend William Bell and renowned bass player Marc Franklin, to help flesh things out. Theirs is a healthy mixture of rock, soul, funk and blues – so to try and label them as a “neo soul” or “jam band” may do them something of a disservice.

Of the songs, “Switchup” is a quality funk workout, powered by Mr. Naftaly’s tight (and I do mean “tight”) guitar stylings. Being driven by the guitar, it keeps the band locked in an on-the-one deep groove, which is something of a lost art – and it has to be said, may be the album’s standout track. “We’re Gonna Make It” is Ms. Jackson’s highpoint. It’s an emotionally moving moment; a combination of gospel emotions and pure from-the-gut soul belting that – again – very few performers can pull off with conviction (and listen for the harmonies that tie it all together). “We’ve Got The Music” is another highlight, as it’s here that Mr. Bell joins Ms. Jackson in a duet; hearing him with this band makes all the sense in the world – bridging the generations of Stax perfectly. And the title track (video below) just pumps – hard, tight, rocking and soulful. It pulls together the band’s influences in one place and makes the picture clear.

There are few young current bands that have the chops, talent (again) and firepower that Southern Avenue has – they showed in on their debut and now, with Keep On, they’ve proved they’re it. Listen and you’ll know it from the first notes onward.

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Keep On is currently available

https://www.southernavenuemusic.com/

By Rob Ross

Rob Ross has been involved in the music industry for over 30 years - as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, freelance journalist, producer, manager and working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star, traveling down South and his orange Gretsch. He's pretty groovy!