With this new CD, the gifted Texas singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster stretches out of the acoustic folk world where she is much acclaimed and together with Shreveport native, swamp guitarist and producer of the album, Malcolm “Papa Mali” Welbourne, reconnects with her roots in old soul and blues. Soul has always been part of her sound and on this album, she encourages it to come out and blossom in a new groove by not only playing her guitar but the Wurlitzer electric piano as well.

Foster’s voice soars confidently and dips into profound places, feeling very earthy and ageless. Sounding like Roberta Flack, she sings the hell out of Lucinda Williams’ “Fruits of My Labor”. She does the Son House song “Grinnin’ in Your Face” justice by singing it a cappella with foot stomps and hand claps, turning it into a spirited work song. She makes pretty when she sings the Sister Rosetta Tharpe song, “Up Above My Head,” making even the cynical believe that there is a heaven filled with music. “Phenomenal Woman” a poem by Maya Angelou set to music by Amy Sky and David Pickell has the effect of an empowering chant that resounds for long after the music ends.

Her self-penned songs, “Harder Than the Fall” and “Don’t Know What to Do,” come out of life experiences and reveal a humble and vulnerable woman behind the phenomenon. She also does a new version of “Heal Yourself”, a song she wrote on guitar and recorded on the piano on her first album, Full Circle, giving it an infectious yet curative beat.

This is an out of the ordinary record for Foster. Her creative alliance with Papa Mali—who also plays guitars and sings backing vocals on the album—and with musicians; George Sluppick on drums and percussion, Glenn Fukunaga on bass, Anthony Farrell on Wurlitzer electric piano and Hammond organ, Mike Dillon on vibes and congas, and Dale Spalding on harmonica has reaped a real soul sound, something that Foster was ready for.