*** I must say I certainly "dig my gig" just like Artie White sang because I come across terrific talent many have yet to discover. So now I have the chance to hip you to another good singer- very much in the O.V. Wright tradition of vintage Deep Soul. I was hooked at track 1, "Come On Home", when a melancholy sax glides on in and McMullen's aching voice follows. Right from his first words you know he's got that authentic throaty rasp often missing from today's whiney tenors, who do little more than vocal gymnastics and beg for booty. None of that nonsense here. "Baby's Got A Broken Heart" is the kind of galloping soul song that feels instantly familiar- as does the title track. A ballad you can feel once again featuring sweet horns and phrasing reminiscent of Memphis circa 1964. Like last year's Willie Walker & The Butanes disc, "Just A Few Words", is a loving tribute to the golden era of soul music. Cooke, Redding, Pickett, O.V., etc.. Soulful from the gut, tastefully arranged. Unfortunately the album stumbles midway with a couple sleepy  melodies ("It's Over", "Something To Be Proud Of") and some strained singing, especially on Jimmy Hughes' "Steal Away" . The album could also use a Staxy backbone here and there. But it picks back up on the swingin' "Should Have Been Me" and a disparate take on Johnnie Taylor's "Sending You A Kiss" brings the disc home in fine fashion. Instead of Rich Cason's contemporary production brushes, this version's given a shaggin' 60's beach flavor. Sam Cooke would be proud. Producers Don Matthews and Greg Rowell play most of the instruments with horns and horn arrangements courtesy of Harvey Thompson Jr. and Jim Beck. I only wish the mix was better. The rhythm section is barely a whisper to the vocals and horns.

"Can I Take You Out Tonight?" (Sound Mindz 2008)

1. Midnight Rendezvous
2. Don't You Wanna Party with Me
3. We Belong Together
4. Let's Be Together
5. Pop It Baby
6. Can I Take You out Tonight
7. Thank You Baby
8. After This Night Is Gone
9. My Baby's on the Phone
10. Sexy Lady, Sexy Man

**** It took some digging to find but this throaty singer's debut LP ("Just A Few Words") convinced Deep Soul fans Leon McMullen was an artist to watch. He's got one of those raspy Southern Soul voices that remind you of the revered sixties soul scene and we Soul Music nerds can't get enough of that.

Good news friends, McMullen returns with another set of Soul Blues grit, UAC (Urban Adult Contemporary) R & B  and a bit of Sam Cooke shag. From the opening kick of the Memphis mover "Midnight Rendezvous" you know you're getting what you want from this project. It's also a rather programmable number not surprisingly pitched as a single.  "Don't You Wanna Party" is a Funky bit of piano-lead Funk that made me check the credits for the Producer. Some cat named Jimmy Underwood. Jimmy knows how to produced McMullen. He also wrote or co-wrote nine of the ten cuts. "We Belong Together" is a stunning Deep Soul ballad that makes us critics swoon. McMullen testifies mightily. The title track is what I would imagine Sam Cooke would sound like if alive today. While the slow marching "After This Night Is Gone" is what I wish Bobby "Blue" Bland still sounded like today. Great horn horn arrangement (uncredited). The airy sound is either an intentional throwback or perhaps an indicator this is some obscure session that's just now seeing the light of day. Whatever the case I'm glad it's here. And you will be too. "Tonight" was ranked #6 in Blues Critic's "Best Of 2008" list for the "Top 20 Southern Soul, Rhythm & Blues Albums".