A Lover Was Born

Description

Distance, as a measure of time and place, imbues Kelly Finnigan's album, A Lover Was Born, with a grace that transforms passion into virtue. The latest solo album from the leader of Monophonics is rooted in the finest traditions of Midwest soul labels like King, Curtom, Dakar, and Bodie Recording Company. A Lover Was Born shows that these deep grooves do not resign themselves to nostalgia; rather, they are at the burning heart of nostalgia and hope. The journey it offers listeners through the eleven tracks of this new album echoes the state of movement since his first solo album, The Tales People Tell (2019). These two records close a period of prolific production, including a pair of Monophonics albums, a Christmas album, a mixtape, and numerous productions for other artists (The Ironsides, Alanna Royale, The Sextones). Dramatic influences like Isaac Hayes (listen to the piano on "Be Your Own Shelter") and Jerry Ragovoy are blended with uptempo Northern Soul rhythms to create stompers like "Get a Hold of Yourself" and "Chosen Few." Throughout, the voice is raw and raspy—in the best tradition of R&B shouters like Otis Redding, Lee Moses, and David Ruffin. The songs of A Lover Was Born reconfigure the spicy, sampled DNA of hip-hop (from diggers like Dilla and RZA) to create something new, highlighting both the spectrum and depth of soul while demonstrating the timelessness of Finnigan's sound. Featuring contributions from Max and Joe Ramey (The Ironsides), Jimmy James (Parlor Greens), Sergio Rios (Orgone), Joey Crispiano (Dap Kings), and Jay Mumford (aka J-Zone).