The Three Apostles
Album: The Three Apostles
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9
Website: www.reverbnation.com/thethreeapostles

Evangelical rock, blues and funk, this is southern (coast) boogie made by a Bournemouth-based trio that clearly know their Soul music inside and out. Grounded by the fatback drums of Robbie Buckle and the intuitive, economical percussive grooves of his older relative Nick, singer/guitarist Andy Wilkinson is given the space he needs to conjure the licks, spits, rattles and hums that make six strings sound like ten - imagine Jack White and Dan Auerbach channelling Steve Cropper, Jimmy Page, Leo Nocentilli (The Meters), Frank Sampredo (Crazy Horse) and Duane Allman. When you add his strangled vocal - two parts George Clinton to one part Nick Cave, a pinch of Prince and maybe just a dash of Sean Ryder with a bull horn - and this is one tasty concoction.

The absence of a bass guitar gives these songs an edge that even the Impressions-istic bass bump of I Spy cannot rein in. It means songs like the swampy Voodoo Shakedown and the greasy gumbo of (I'll Be) Anything You Want teeter on the brink of imploding and blowing a black hole in the blues - all the more remarkable when you realise there is digital technology at play in the mix as well. Sparse, elegant and as tasty as a long slug of JD after a hard day in the saddle, The Three Apostles are following their instincts and preaching their message as only they know how. I suggest you listen up.

Nick Churchill
www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk