Little Steven Unleashes Soulfire - Album Review by Mike Saunders

"Warning! If you read this, you will have to buy the album! Recorded and mixed between Halloween and Christmas last year, Little Steven's new album Soulfire is a 57-minute long journey through 12 tracks, including eight of his own compositions written for other artists and two unreleased Van Zandt songs. The album features a big, widescreen production reminiscent of Phil Spector's wall of sound, taking listeners on a genre-bending rollercoaster ride through blues, doo-wop, funk, jazz, and urban soul. With contributions from nine horn players and six female backing vocalists, including Cindy Mizelle, this album is a juicy prime cut of New Jersey rock and soul.

Soulfire reintroduces Little Steven as a recording artist, effectively serving as a 'Best Of' collection, showcasing his four-decade-long career. Highlights include the guitar solos in 'Blues Is My Business,' the jazz interlude in 'Down And Out In New York City,' and the unforgettable spaghetti western trumpet solo in 'Standing In The Line Of Fire.' Produced with meticulous care, this album is a rocket-fuelled adrenaline rush and a strong contender for album of the year. In a world of bland music, Soulfire stands out as a shining beacon of quality and intensity. A deeply satisfying, sumptuous banquet of an album, it's good enough to eat. Serve hot and consume immediately for maximum enjoyment!"