Alabama by-way-of Nashville soul singer/songwriter Anderson East follows up his excellent 2012 debut Flowers of the Broken Hearted and 2015’s critically acclaimed Delilah with Encore, a new set of David Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell) produced Muscle Shoals inspired retro-soul and R&B. For the 11 tracks of Encore, East and Cobb center Easts powerfully sultry and soulful vocals with vintage recording techniques, textures and vivid imagery alongside inspiration from American jazz, blues, and soul from greats like Donny Hathaway, Van Morrison and Joe Cocker. Album highlights include: the Chris Stapleton co-written opener “King For a Day”; a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Somebody Pick Up My Pieces”; the upbeat and catchy “Surrender”; the gospel-flecked “This Too Shall Last”; the horn-driven love song “Girlfriend”; and a cover of folk-blues icon Ted Hawkins’ “Sorry You’re Sick.” Encore is a real gem of an album; it is a satisfying listen that will likely be one of peoples’ favorite albums of 2018. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Leon Bridges, Benjamin Booker, Michael Kiwanuka, Son Little, St. Paul & The Broken Bones