If neo-soul is music that takes the core sonic tenets of soul, upholding it old-school, golden age signature sounds and then adds poise and polish and renewed purpose, not to mention contemporary sounds and sonics so that it can more with the times, remain relevant in the modern age, then “Flying Machine,” the single that marked my first encounter with Bonneville, was certainly that.
Now, we have a whole album of music under the same title from them, with additional space to spread out, which not only enables them to explore that territory more deeply but also allows them to wander into adjacent scenes and styles, blur the lines of sonic demarcation, and effortlessly cross generic boundaries.
If opener, “Boogeyman” blends gentle funk with scintillating soul, roots-pop sophistication with shimmering horns, then “Undercover Women” has an equally interesting card to play, sounding like Stevie Wonder were just starting today and his more formal Motown sound is translated into the cutting edge of contemporary, searing, sensational soul edge.
“Over Breakin’ “ oozes with the simple charm of the doo-wop age, but, like everything else found here, takes on a contemporary charm and, in this case no small amount of gospel vocal finesse.
Proving that they can explore the musical map broadly and brilliantly, especially those parts imbued with Southern roots sounds, “Lady of the Tennessee” is a blues ballad, soaked in rock and soul groove, sounding like The Allman Brothers and Ray Charles fighting over the very soul of the songs of the south.
If you are one of those people who think that soul music is a thing of the past, that all its greatest moments are behind it, then you need an education, and Bonneville is today’s lesson! right, settle down and listen in…
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