It’s been an extremely rainy day here in the city which usually means I go into hibernation mode and soak in much of the music that’s been surrounding me, both old and new. But it’s usually the new that I start out and get familiar with that sets the tone of the day and that I’m most excited about especially from artists that have become quite favorites here at Nostalgia King. And starting the in a great way is what I did with opening the sounds of rain pitter patting on the windows while the sounds of soul music filled the room with uplifting vibes courtesy of the new self titled album by The Freedom Affair. Their second full length LP and the follow up to 2020’s “Freedom Love”, The Freedom Affair checks all of the soulful boxes that hit our heart and soul in the most beautiful way.
The Freedom Affair has planted deep roots in soul music from their start, but after nearly a decade together, the group’s self-titled sophomore album focuses their sound squarely where Muscle Shoals meets Memphis Soul. It’s a masterstroke of impassioned message-music exploring ageless themes of inequity, love, and togetherness.
The ever-powerful female trio fronting the band–Paula Saunders, Seyko Groves, and Shon Ruffin–has been the hallmark of The Freedom Affair’s sound and identity, and their collective vocal prowess is on full display ranging from tough to tender, touching on heartache and hope. The experience at Royal studios convinced the band that there isn’t a better room to record horns. The “one take” horns of Pete Carroll on trumpet and Brett Jackson on saxophone prove their years together as a unit have paid off with their precision and lines written to meet the vibe perfectly. With rhythm section personnel remaining the same from their debut album Freedom is Love, a shift in instrumentation moves Chris Hazelton from bass to his primary instrument of the Hammond B3 organ along with various keyboards. Branden Moser swaps in the bass, which also happens to be his primary instrument, from his former rhythm guitar. Cole Bales continues to dig into timeless riffs on lead guitar, and Dave Brick maintains the backbone with the heavy boom-bap on drums. This album has cemented The Freedom Affair’s sound: enduring melodies with rich arrangements, backed by a gritty pulse.