Mann, Lisa : Move on

Lisa Mann's new CD 'Move On' is her most stylistically adventurous work yet. R&B aficionados will appreciate Mann's reverent mining of the royal musical archives of Stax, Motown, and Muscle Shoals to create an impressive modern homage to her rhythm and blues forebears. Originally from West Virginia, Mann's vocals effortlessly straddle the line between the honey sweet warmth of the South, and the force-of-nature sound Mann has cultivated by mastering everything from Metal to Memphis soul. Her clever blues balladry is complimented by her considerable prowess on bass -- and listeners won't need to make any presumptions about whether or not Mann has a persistent case of funk lust. Her bass grooves touch on the hallowed soil of Soul greats James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt. Mann didn't need to travel far to tap into the West Coast's deep blues talent pool. Fellow Portland, Oregon-based frontman Mitch Kashmar (Delta Groove Records) contributes soaring harmonica acrobatics to several tracks, and Mann's aptly titled backing outfit, the 'Really Good Band,' featuring guitarist Jeff Knudson, keys guru Brian Harris, and drummer Michael Ballash, provides a contemporary sonic tapestry celebrating the great session gods of the 60's and 70's. Mann's best-of-the-West guest list includes collaborators ripe for the task of conjuring the ghosts of Muscle Shoals and Detroit-past. Northwest vocal stalwarts LaRhonda Steele, Arietta Ward, Richard Arnold and Rae Gordon, superlative soloists in their own right, contribute backing harmonies. Dave Melyan and Alex Shakeri (Insomniacs) swing into the mix for listener's percussive and piano pleasure, as does Sonny 'Smokin' Hess on guitar.