Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators

Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators – Keep Reachin’ Up

With the recent release of Amy Winhouse’s Motown influenced bad girl album and the upcoming arrival from deep-funk sensation Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, the sound of retro-soul is finally percolating up into the American spotlight. Funk and soul acts like the Bamboos (Australia) and the Poets Of Rhythm (Germany) have been captivating the attentive ears of an international audience with their brand of old school soul, with little appreciation of our mainstream airwaves. You may never have consider Finland the next location of soul superstardom, but one listen to the Soul Investigators, and you’ll accept the fact that this Finnish outfit is sitting on loads of classic Motown and mid-70’s soul cassette tapes. Fronted by New Yorker Nicole Willis, who occupied the ranks of the Brand New Heavies and Dee-Lite, the bite of Keep Reachin’ Up is immediate. Opening with a disco-tinged groover “Feeling Free”, the Soul Investigators continue forth with orchestra arrangements reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield’s middle period. A perfect soul revivalism album.