Berlin (dpa) – The name of the backing band is a bit misleading: Delta Sugar – that sounds like the US southern states, with front woman Samantha Martin <!––> and their colleagues from Canada. On the other hand: Music with famous role models from Southern Soul – that’s exactly what this troupe does.
Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar certainly don’t mind if you classify their new album “The Reckless One” (Gypsy Soul / Bertus) under “Retro”. Anyone looking for legendary musicians like Mavis Staples <!––>, Aretha Franklin, Sharon Jones or Tina Turner, such a label is an honor. In addition, the 37-year-old from Toronto has such a rousing power voice and such a competent band that she is guaranteed not to end up among the rank and file of the epigones.
While “Send The Nightingale” (2015), the debut of Delta Sugar, led by Samantha Martin, was still quite modest, the follow-up “Run To Me” (2018) was already an opulent gospel soul mass with funky rhythms and a brass section. “The Reckless One” now also offers this fat sound.
In addition to eleven songs on which Martin at least helped write (tip: the brilliant “I’ve Got A Feeling” and the girl group track “Sacrifice”), she inspires with an inspired cover of Bob Dylan’s “Meet Me In The Morning”. It’s just too bad that we won’t be able to hear this powerful voice and the magnificent sound of a large band in a sweaty club (with the largest possible stage) in the foreseeable future.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201218-99-738975 / 3
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