Soul music didn't totally evaporate after the '70s, but you have to know where to find it. One option is the neo-soul of '90s and 2000s artists such as
Jill Scott,
Erykah Badu,
Alicia Keys,
D'Angelo,
India Arie, and
Mary J. Blige; those singers have combined their appreciation of classic '60s and '70s soul with urban contemporary and hip-hop elements -- an approach that critic Nelson George terms "retro-nuevo." But there are others who offer a faithful re-creation of classic pre-'80s R&B, and
Living It Up in the New World -- like albums by
the Brand New Heavies and the Boston-based SuperHoney -- is unapologetic in its devotion to '70s-style soul and funk. This 2005 release isn't neo-soul; under the direction of lead singer/founder Stefanie Seskin,
Blue Number Nine offer an enthusiastic celebration of R&B as listeners knew it in the pre-urban contemporary era (with a few detours into pop/rock territory). And the influences that have served Seskin well on previous
BNN albums --
Rufus & Chaka Khan,
the Average White Band,
LaBelle,
Aretha Franklin, among others -- continue to serve her well on infectious tracks like "Dig My Hands" and "Castles." Seskin takes a very hands-on approach; on top of singing lead and playing the flute, she co-produced
Living It Up in the New World (with
BNN bassist Marco Accattatis) and wrote or co-wrote all of the songs. Seskin is no innovator, but if this album is derivative, it is pleasingly derivative -- for those who are seriously into the soul and funk of the '70s, it isn't hard to enjoy Seskin's celebration of that era. Anyone who has spent a lot of time savoring the retro-soul pleasures of
the Brand New Heavies or SuperHoney is advised to give
Living It Up in the New World a close listen. ~ Alex Henderson