Review: ‘Set Sail’ North Mississippi Allstars

By Mike O’Cull

Second-generation roots music kings and four-time Grammy nominees North Mississippi Allstars continue their life’s work on their new album Set Sail. Out January 28 on New West Records, the record is a funky and languid set of new music from siblings Luther and Cody Dickinson that makes its magic in a meaningful, full-grown way that blends the organic sounds of the South with relevant, modern ideas. It’s all vibe from one end to the other and revels in flavors ranging from deep funk to Delta psychedelics. This time out, the brothers brought in Jesse Williams on bass and Lamar Williams, JR. on vocals to become part of their ever-shifting collective. The two men are also second-generation musicians and fit in with and add to the group’s well-known luster. As a unit, the four players are a connected and convincing force that lights up the Allstars’ 13th release.

Formed in 1996 by guitarist/vocalist Luther Dickinson and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Cody Dickinson as a loose group of musical sons who shared a local style and set list, North Mississippi Allstars has become one of the most consistently compelling American bands of its time. The Dickinson boys have worked with major artists including Mavis Staples, Charlie Musslewhite, John Hiatt, Robert Plant and Patty Griffin, G Love, Jon Spencer, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Los Lobos, and the Black Crowes and both have become respected producers, as well. They’re fluent in rock, blues, funk, gospel, hippie jams, and more and have the ability to meld and shape all these sounds into something original and righteous.

North Mississippi Allstars open Set Sail with the simmering, somber funk of “Set Sail Part I.” Far from the typical bombastic first song on most albums, it’s a chilled-out but not tension-free track that asks you to move closer to hear each note and word. It’s a philosophical song about the rising waters caused by climate change but operates as social commentary, too. Luther and Williams sing together on it and their combined sound is spellbinding. Luther’s slide playing here is minimalistic and suitably haunting, adding much atmosphere to the cut.

“See The Moon” gets into more upbeat funk/soul territory and features Luther intertwining his vocals with Williams and Sharisse Norman. The pocket here is wide and hypnotic and the three-way vocal tops it just right. The band hits that perfect spot between body-moving beats and musical clarity dead-on and turns the track into a hit in waiting.

“Never Want To Be Kissed” is pure vintage soul and spotlights the legendary William Bell on vocals. It’s a heartfelt song about the sadness of a goodbye kiss set to a kinetic, horn-enhanced beat that lets Bell extract every drop of emotion out of the lyrics. His voice and tone are steady and strong, making the song feel like it came out of a time machine sent from the mid-60s. Cody Dickinson does fine work on drums on this and every other song on Set Sail, adding his own push and pull everywhere it’s needed.

“Juicy Juice” comes off lowdown and sultry like a humid summer night and sports a killer bass line from Jesse Williams that keeps the whole thing popping. It’s a fun track that’s perfect for the late-night hours and shows the group as the groove machine it always is. Be sure to also dive into “Didn’t We Have A Time,” “Authentic,” and “Set Sail Part II.” Set Sail is a super effort from one of the most stand-up American bands of the last 30 years. You’re going to want it in rotation right away.

Watch “Never Want To Be Kissed” (feat William Bell)

 
Order link for Set Sail