Review: Southern Avenue ‘Family’

Review: Southern Avenue ‘Family’

By Hal Horowitz

“We are family/I’ve got all my sisters with me,” disco group Sister Sledge famously boasted in 1979. Southern Avenue echoes similar domestic thoughts on ‘Family,’ the outfit’s fourth album since 2017s debut.

The Memphis quartet, three Jackson sisters (Tierinii-vocals, Tikyra-vocals/drums, and Ava-vocals/violin) and one Israeli bred husband/brother-in-law (Ori Naftaly-guitar), have perfected their soul, blues, funk, gospel and rock amalgamation through consistently top-notch albums. Those were supported by non-stop road work, winning audiences over one blistering show at a time. If you live anywhere near a larger city, it’s likely Southern Avenue has brought their soulful charms close by.

‘Family’ appears on a new imprint too, indicating a fresh start. The esteemed Alligator label, known for their blues and blues-rock acts, is a logical place for Southern Avenue to land. It expands the company’s roots approach while reinforcing their dedication to exposing worthy American acts informed by those who came before. Southern Avenue kicks those doors open, reveling in classic soul while delivering a more contemporary musical spin.

These songs promote a positive, encouraging, keep-on–trucking refrain, wrapped in the greasy R&B Memphis is famous for. From the mid-tempo funk of “Upside” (“Every day’s a new day/Hey, find me on the upside”) with guitarist Naftali’s jazz-inflected solo, to the admonition of “Gotta Keep the Love” in the lit fuse sizzling Earth, Wind & Fire-inspired tune of the same name, the “keep the love alive” theme threads through these originals.

On “Sisters,” the three siblings harmonize like, well sisters; think the Pointer Sisters in their prime. Over a throbbing undercurrent, Naftali’s slithering slide connects as the trio sings “Together we’ll take the world,” as if they mean every word of that declaration. But the Pointers seldom got as bluesy as what this Jackson clan offers in “Flying.” The guitar dives into the backwood swamps, an organ swells up and Tierinii howls “If I die, at least I’ll die flying.”

Those wondering about Southern Avenue’s rise to fame get a helpful, if brief, history lesson in the smoldering “Rum Boogie.” Beale Street and the group’s old hangout club DKDC are name-checked as the lyrics of “Before we knew it/we rocked our way to the heart of the city” tells of countless nights refining their music in front of increasingly exuberant audiences.

It comes as little surprise to see North Mississippi Allstars’ frontman/guitarist Luther Dickinson, someone famously steeped in the gutsy vibe Southern Avenue exudes, guests on bass for three selections. Naftali digs into the NMAS bayou bag for a nasty, raw, repeated lick on the sensual bluesy rock of “Late Night Get Down,” adding weight to the band’s already authentic approach.

The militaristic drums underpinning the closing “We Are” take inspiration from Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” But when the trio of voices melds together singing “We are the music of the soul,” then finish a cappella with an explosive “We are healing,” there’s no doubting Southern Avenue’s commitment.

The siblings’ harmonies are natural, organic and informed by their church upbringing, but lead singer Tierinii is Southern Avenue’s focal point. Her gutsy, confident vocals, somewhat akin to Chaka Khan’s work in Rufus, carry and propel the music. In concert, she’s a live-wire, shooting off energetic, spirited sparks enlivening even the most lackadaisical audience.

“Don’t Give Up,” sang Tierinii Jackson on the opening track of the group’s first release. Southern Avenue has adhered to those words with the superb ‘Family,’ an album fluently combining their eclectic Memphis roots into one seamless, coherent whole.

“Upside”