Bound to Love

Much-travelled New York native Jess Klein recently moved to Austin, Texas to record her seventh studio album, and the opening lines from ‘When The Time Comes’ – “I’m free/ Nothing is expected of me” –telegraph the changes. Heavily influenced by the blues and by Motown, her previous albums were rightly acclaimed (her last outing City Garden received a five star review from Mojo). Now those influences are merged with a broader palate of American music. Producers Jud Newcomb’s guitars and Mark Addison’s keyboards are accompanied by a solid rhythm section and the songs are delivered in Klein’s customary emotive style.

Jess delivers a solid take on John Hiatt’s ‘Before I Go’; ‘Travelin’ Woman’ is tough and expressive; but she is as at home on slower songs like ‘Fool’, a duet with Slaid Cleeves. ‘What For’ provides a soulful ending to what is a very rewarding album.