Tedeschi Trucks Band — Future Soul (Fantasy/Concord)
Let’s face it — some (ok, maybe all) bands are best enjoyed on vinyl.
And such is the depth, variety and painstaking creative process at the heart of every Tedeschi Trucks Band release, it’s impossible to imagine listening to this insanely creative collective on any other format.
It might be four years since the ambitious and expansive I Am The Moon project catapulted Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and their buddies to dizzying new heights.
But such was the volume of material pacing that mind-bending four-part release, it only feels like yesterday that we started getting to know the more progressive side of a band without boundaries.
On Future Soul — as the name suggests — Tedeschi Trucks Band take a step sideways towards something a little more accessible, melodic and reassuringly fresh.
From the bright, celebratory album artwork (depicting Tedeschi and Trucks as axe-wielding superheroes) to the wildly optimistic groove of the tight and teasing title track, this triumphant record can appear to be the very antithesis of I Am The Moon’s reflective, deliberately darker vibe.
Of course, the instinctive songwriting and peerless musicianship is common to both — since 2011’s Revelator, Tedeschi Trucks Band have become synonymous with a consistently inventive take on Southern rock-fuelled, rootsy Americana.
Grounded in 50s soul and reimagined through the group’s trademark blues, Future Soul is a quite sensational blend of myriad genres.
According to the credits, no fewer than 15 of the finest musical talents contributed to the 11 songs here — three hired hands, in the shape of Mike Elizondo (the co-producer added flourishes of keys, bass and acoustic guitar), percussionist Abe Rounds and cellist Austin Hoke, joining Tedeschi Trucks Band’s 12-strong core.
Which brings us back to the vinyl edition… and the need for a top performing amplifier.
Tweak you bass, twiddle your treble and go back and forth on the balance and it’s possible to glean something different every time the needle drops on this career-best collection.
Take Who Am I. Written by Tedeschi, Trucks, Gabe Dixon and Mike Mattison, it’s a wonderfully sweet love song punctuated by deep reflection and tempered optimism.
Trucks’ acoustic guitar (and a trademark Clapton-esque solo), Dixon’s subtle sweeps of Hammond and one of the most affecting Tedeschi vocals here makes for a truly stunning standout.
Clocking in at close to five minutes, it comfortably hits that Tedeschi Trucks Band sweet spot — allowing this remarkably in-tune (mentally and sonically) team to shine: the old adage that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts was never more apt.
The Patti Smith-meets-post grunge of Hero is very different (check out the spacey, psych rock outro!) but different is good. It’s what Tedeschi Trucks Band does best of all.
Put simply, Future Soul is a fabulous addition to a classy canon.
When Rushonrock added Signs to our extensive vinyl collection seven years ago it was like hearing a brand new version of Tedeschi Trucks.
Now we won’t listen to one of the 21st century’s most important and impactful jam bands in any other way.
Your future needs soul — and records like this — in it. Right now.
