Café R&B

Ominous and alley-funky, “Our Town” kicks off the second album from Café R&B, the So Cal band led by the stunning, beautiful force of female nature named Roach. Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, Angela Strehli and even Paul Rodgers (Free and Bad Company) are gritty and soulful reference points. Roach takes on Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” and Booker T’s “Born Under a Bad Sign,” but the evocative originals anchor the disc. The unique mix of nightclub presentation and studio technique engineered by writer, producer, guitarist and husband Byl Carruthers makes this above-standard blues and soul fare, both in production and attitude. Everyone says Roach has to be seen to be believed in her hellfire drop-to-the knees testifying, but this album alone should tell music lovers all they need to search her out.