North Mississippi Allstars

Jam band soul from Southern rock scions.

Even by American jam band standards, North Mississippi Allstars like to kick back and just let the music take them. The core of the group – Luther and Cody Dickinson, the sons of venerated producer Jim – have now made 13 albums, and none has been so wreathed in bong smoke as Set Sail. Apart from the upbeat soul of Never Want To Be Kissed, featuring Stax veteran William Bell on vocals, Set Sail stumbles and squints through its nine other tracks, although on Bumpin’ they at least rouse themselves long enough to sound like Tony Joe White imitating Sly Stone. But when they hit their sweet spot on Outside, with Lamar Williams Jr (son of Allman Brothers’ bassist Lamar Williams Sr) on vocals, North Mississippi Allstars capture the lightning in a bottle groove that marks out all the very best Southern soul.

Andy Fyfe ★★★ Set Sail NEW WEST. CD/DL/LP