Singer Alex Harris comes through with his debut album Back To Us via the Shanachie imprint. Harris’ molten soul reflects his gospel conviction as the son of a pastor, country music, and Stax Records. At times his baritone projects a lot like the late soul star Johnnie Taylor who was a Stax artist for most of his career. “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember” and “Lose My Religion” have some of Taylor’s verve. The comparisons don’t stop there because he pulls from Al Green’s tone when he sings “Way Up.” “Millionaire” should benefit from Beyoncé’s reclamation of country music’s Black origins. Ruby Amanfu, Monofonics, and Sam Ashworth join Harris on the album that was recorded in Nashville. Harris has tapped into the city’s music history and neighboring Memphis to produce a pure but contemporary tribute to the sounds pioneered there in the ’60s and ’70s. Back To Us is trend-free and firmly rooted in its celebration of Americana R&B.
