Heavy Soul Experience of Mother Superior

This wide-open heavy blues collection is the first release from Los Angeles power trio Mother Superior. Fans unfamiliar with the group might liken them most to fellow '90s blues rockers the Black Crowes, but The Heavy Soul Experience of Mother Superior has a grittier sound that is stripped-down by comparison. It is more likely that the two groups share many '70s rock and soul influences rather than any similarities being the result of Mother Superior's appreciation of the Robinson brothers. The trio (consisting of Jim Wilson on guitars and vocals, Jason Mackenroth on drums, and bassist Marcus Blake) makes great use of Wilson's soulful voice and flailing guitar work that compliments their loosely pocketed rhythm section and solid material. The gospel-influenced rockers toward the end of The Heavy Soul Experience of Mother Superior ("Right on Time," "You Don't Miss Your Water") make up the most interesting final section of the disc with their powerful melodies and blues-poet lyrics. The more rocking numbers, like "The Wiggle," do more than hold their own, practically putting some legendary blues-influenced rockers like Bad Company to shame.