Pop music is replete with inspired – if sometimes unusual – pairings. Think Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera (”Steppin’ Out”), Tanya Tucker and Little Richard (a cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Somethin’ Else”) and lest we forget, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney: who can forget “Ebony & Ivory”! Less left field but certainly as inspired is the teaming of Stax legend Steve Cropper (who must have played guitar on hundreds and hundreds of Memphis-made tracks) and Felix Cavaliere, the vocally distinctive lead singer and keyboardist with The (Young) Rascals, New York-based blue-eyed soul purveyors best known for ‘60s classics like “Groovin,’” “People Got To Be Free” and “How Can I Be Sure.”

The catalyst for bringing Cropper and Cavaliere together on disc, producer Jon Tiven, whose eclectic discography includes such names as Robert Plant, bluesman Little Milton, soul legends Wilson Pickett, Freddie Scott, Sir Mack Rice, Syl Johnson and Betty Harris. Clearly, the Nashville-based Tiven knew a thing or two about making authentically soulful music and the teaming of Steve and Felix was, it turns out, a musical ‘natural.’ With some serious players in support (try drummer Chester Thompson, who has worked with Frank Zappa, Genesis and John Forgerty; and Curtis Mayfield protégé, bassist Shake Anderson), the new Stax/Concord album “Nudge It Up A Notch” is solid.

The opening cut “One Of Those Days” – like much of the rest of the twelve cuts – marries Cropper’s renowned bluesy licks with Cavaliere’s R&B-tinged vocal style and the result is a movin’ groover. “If It Wasn’t For Loving You,” co-penned by the two performers and Tiven, is a personal favorite, with echoes of the kind of ‘60s sweet soul music that UK R&B aficionados (like myself) particularly loved. “Without You” is strong melodically and lyrically while we are treated to a couple of fine Cropper-led instrumentals (“Full Moon Tonight,” “Cuttin’ It Close” and the ska-flavored “Jamaica Delight”); only curveball is “Make The Time Go Faster” with some very awkward rap passage or two! Soul men they be but hip-hop masters, well….not.

With David Z (of Prince fame) lending his mixing skills, “Nudge It Up A Notch” is a satisfying example of a musical match that truly works. Now Cropper and Tony Bennett might be a real interesting follow up!

David Nathan
a/k/a “The British Ambassador Of Soul”
Owner,
www.soulmusic.com,
www.soulmusicstore.com,
www.soulmusicglobal.com
Secretary, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation (www.rhythmblues.org)
Senior Contributing Writer, Blues & Soul (www.bluesandsoul.com)

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