::ALBUM REVIEW::
by J Matthew Cobb
Posted: June 17, 2009

Daptone Records, the little label that could, exploded on the classic funk/soul revival circuit with their smoking slab of uniquely-tailored retro artists coming from artists like the Budos Band, Mighty Imperials and their flagship artist Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. The results have been mostly rewarding, even though you probably would think that the albums were recorded in the ‘50s-60s awaiting for Berry Gordy's approval. And that is the kind of impression Daptone has created with their fan base. One trip to their online record shop will reveal they also have 45 rpm and 33 1/3 rpm vinyl versions available of their hit singles and albums. Smart move, since most labels are doing everything they can to sound modern and contemporary. Daptone’s latest discovery surrounds the Alabama native-New York migrant Naomi Shelton, who at the age of 60, sounds like a vocal mix of Ann Pebbles and Dorothy Love-Coates. For years, Shelton has been singing gospel music in churches and clubs for decades and is now experiencing a great awakening with her debut album release, What Have You Done, My Brother?, on Daptone The soul singer digs into a gospel workout that compliments the music contributions of HOB and Nashboro, but with a spicy dash of Stax strongly exemplified by Cliff Driver’s piano, Bosco Mann’s guitar work and Sharon Jones’ supporting vocals. The Gospel Queens round out the musical direction with their unapologetic Sunday morning gospel harmonizing.

Certainly What Have You Done is a gospel record, but easily blends her blues-soul roots into the musical flow easily giving the album the depth of a Sharon Jones record. The message songs give Shelton ample room to hit the blues market without being too churchy, like on the enjoyable title cut. Think Staple Singers and “Respect Yourself” when you hear Shelton point her finger at the deed-less Christian on “What Have You Done, My Brother?” “Am I Asking Too Much” follows in the same vein, but Bosco Mann’s lyrics focuses on the guilty conscious after the needs pile up in our individual prayer lives. Besides the safe message tunes, Shelton goes into the gospel hymns without any hesitation or compromise. Luther Barnes’ “What More Can I Do?" - which sounds more alive than Barnes’ slowly-paced version - the Frank Williams-penned “I Need You To Hold My Hand” and “Jordan River” are all welcomed here. “What Is This,” the album opener, takes Willie Morganfield’s lyrics from the Walter Hawkins catalog and wisely dips it into a bluesy B.B. King/Ray Charles arrangement that works on Shelton. Songs like “I’ll Take the Long Road” and Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” gives off mournful sighs of the tedious journey, but works well with her convincing pleas and Mavis Staples’ growls. Two of the Gospel Queens comfortably handle lead vocals on two other tracks but the star of the show, Shelton, is never replaced.

Fans of Sharon Jones will certainly have no problem digging into the well of Naomi Shelton’s southern gospel. It’s still funky and bluesy, but with a sweet hint of religion. And with borrowed songs from the hymnbook and some important soul influences, What Have You Done succeeds in its aspirations to resuscitate the original quartet sound without sounding trite and dated. It’s quite amazing that an artist, with no album chronology at all, could sound so relevant and accomplished in this historic music style. It’s the kind of stuff that certainly causes the bulk of traditional gospel musicians and artists to rethink their own art.