Celebrate the soul

It’s only fitting that a venue as historic and continually productive as Westerly’s Knickerbocker Music Center has a loose-knit aggregate of musicians who occasionally gather as the Knickerbocker All-Stars.

Any live performance is going to be explosive, and when they gather in the recording studio, it can become truly special. Consider “Love Makes a Woman,” a new CD by the band focused on the wondrous legacy of female soul, R&B and blues singers — and featuring thrilling lead vocal contributions from Darcel Wilson and Thornetta Davis.

With innovative arrangements of time-seared material such as “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “Higher & Higher,” “Nick of Time,” “Good Rockin’ Daddy” and many more, “Love Makes a Woman” is the musical equivalent of a highlight reel. Even better? The album is dedicated to the late Aretha Franklin — and the All-Stars and Wilson celebrate the release with a show Friday at the Knick. Watch for special guests (Sugar Ray Norcia and Brian Templeton, are you listening?), and all proceeds go to the United Theater/Knickerbocker Music Center/Rhode Island Philharmonic joint education program. Knickerbocker All-Stars CD Release Party, 7 p.m. Friday, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly; $15 advance, $20 door, copies of the CD available for $15; (401)3155070, knickerbockerallstars.com.