There's something about soul music as a genre that really forces its artists to earn their stripes on a live stage. Maybe it's the phenomenon that was James Brown and his revered 'Live at the Apollo' sets that stand as staples for soul music recordings and have cast an impossibly large shadow over generations of artists that have graced stages around the world since.
Or perhaps it's the fact that there's nowhere to hide. Centre stage: a vocalist with a mic in their hand, the band primed to create the sonic canvas for the evening, faces in the crowd awaiting their instructions - will they be made to dance 'til the sweat drips down their back or lovingly swoon over lush ballads... or maybe the band won't be able to make the audience do either.
Live music. For funk and soul bands, performing live is everything.
For contemporary soul music fans, you'll be fully aware that there is no shortage of incredible artists and bands around the world all committed to waving the flag for the genre. From Hamburg's The Mighty Mocambos, Brighton's Gyratory Allstars, Melbourne's The Putbacks or Brooklyn's Thee Sacred Souls... we are, without doubt, spoilt for choice when it comes to drum-crashing, horn-blasting and groove-riddled new music releases.
And adding to that list of genre-defining contemporary soul music would undoubtedly be the Principles of Joy. Courtesy of the soul music haven that is Q-Sounds Recordings, the Principles of Joy - from France's Seine Saint-Denis - have genuinely served as front-runners for today's bands. An impassioned, imaginative and creative unit, the Principles of Joy initially formed in 2017 and were able to create soul music that confidently straddled the sweet spot between soul, blues, funk and northern soul.
Q-Sounds' devotion to their music is one of the most notable aspects of their appeal and what continues to earn them a loyal following. From the list of Q-Sounds artists including Laura Llorens & The Shadows of Love, The Vogs, Lisa Melissa, The Supertights, amongst others, the live stage has long served as the band's church of sorts. A place for praise, excitement and celebration... anyone that's ever seen Q-Sounds co-founder and Principles keys player Ludovic Bors enthusiastically crash away on his keys, even going as far as to stand atop the instrument while still playing, will see the unbridled joy the music gives them.
Vocalist Rachel Yarabou does a sensational job throughout the album's nine tracks. Her ability to hold court and command proceedings during the blisteringly up-tempo numbers while still being to sweetly serenade during the band's ballads is masterful. Amongst the Principles treasures that are presented here include 'Girls Be Like' and 'Ablaze' from 'It's Soul That Counts' (2024) and 'God Only Knows' and 'Start From Scratch' from '9-3' (2021). A few signature covers are expertly executed including the classic 'Your Thing is a Drag' from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and an almost unrecognisable, but absolutely brilliant, '#HoodLove' as originally performed by Jazmine Sullivan.
Principles of Joy prove once again to be an incredibly versatile act - one as comfortable in a studio setting as they are on a live stage and each one is a Joy to behold!
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