The new album Super Soul Session! from Arlen Roth and Jerry Jemmott reflects that joy and status. Guitar hero and music education pioneer Roth, aka “Master of the Telecaster,” and Grammy winning bassist, Jerry Jemmott, aka “The Groovemaster,” were both chief session and touring musicians of the late 1960s and early 1970s, working with many of the period's well-known Rock, Pop Soul, Blues and Jazz artists. The longtime friends join forces on a baker’s dozen of iconic tracks from their career discography in celebration of over 50 years of making great music. The pair invited A-list players to join them for the New York sessions enlisting the talents of keyboardists Bruce Katz & Alex Salzman, rhythm guitarist Tom Gage, drummer Chris Parker, The Uptown Horns and special guests Joe Louis Walker and African vocalist Mukamuri. The collection of cover songs is not only a trip down memory lane, but also a loving exploration and deep dive into some of the duo’s favorite songs, many of which they had a hand in creating originally.
The album eases in with a tender and gently swinging reading of “I’m Just A Mortal Man,” mirroring the title track from the first solo album of soul singer Jerry Lawson of the Brooklyn a cappella group, The Persuasions. The first of two Aretha Franklin classics “(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone,” takes a cue from Booker T. and the M.G.’s instrumental version of the Memphis Soul classic with Roth playing the melody line accented by hot horn jabs. Dedicated to James Jamerson, arguably the best bass player of all time, the oft recorded “Dancing In The Street” is a rocking celebration of soulful slide guitar and big groove.
Tracklist:
1.I'm Just a Mortal Man 03:01
2.(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone
3.Dancing in the Street
4.The Thrill is Gone
5.(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
6.Chain of Fools
7.Shake
8.Drift Away
9.Down Home Girl
10.The Weight
11.Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues
12.Memphis Soul Stew
13.America the Beautiful
Joe Louis Walker steps up to the mic for a Latin flavored take on “The Thrill Is Gone,” then trades hot guitar leads with Roth as the track fades. Of note Jemmott was part of the crew of young New York studio musicians who recorded the 1969 single that crossed B.B. King over into the pop market. Loving homage is paid to legendary Detroit studio band The Funk Brothers on South African tinged rundown of “(Your Love is Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,” and to the Swampers from Muscle Shoals on a deadly version of “Chain of Fools.” Parker has some fun with his rumbling tom toms on “Shake,” and Mukamuri stretches out on Decca Records 1973 hit “Drift Away.”
Roth takes the lead on The Stones swamp pop prototype “Down Home Girl,” then plays the melody on a sublime instrumental take of “The Weight,” emulating the session Jemmott snuck in to play alongside Duane Allman for Aretha’s 1970 version of the much-loved song. Roth’s telecaster skills shine on country crossover track “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues.” Jemmott narrates the recipe for the famous Stax Sound on a joyous reproduction of “Memphis Soul Stew,” in tribute to his first bandmates King Curtis & The Kingpins.
Album finale has Roth again delivering the melody for a stirring rendition of “America The Beautiful,” emulating the famous 1972 version by the genius who invented Soul Music, Mr. Ray Charles. Rick J Bowen
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