As of late, the music scene has become quite devoid of Funk and Soul. Leave it to Laura Cheadle’s Live On to reignite the sound and hopefully redefine the music landscape. Blessed with Laura’s soulful voice and accompanied by superb instrumentation, this album will get you grooving.

Laura, a native to New Jersey, draws her influences from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Dinah Washington. And luckily for us, she is able to deliver these influences on a platter. The first song, “Constantly”, is energetic, fun as hell and features a sick bass line via Koot Lemons. (Koot, yes, I know.). I like how Laura is forthcoming about the subject matter driving this tune; the relatable, “someone just stringing you along”.

“Answer Within Me” is relaxing and wonderfully constructed. I have to admit, at first I didn’t take to it, but its beautiful instrumentation grew on me. Next, we have “Live On”, a stomping funk-pop song that showcases Laura’s versatility as a guitarist and song siren. There are aspects of this song I like, but at times it sounds a little like a game show theme song. Of course, that’s not ideal unless you are a “Price is Right” junkie.   By sticking to a more organic sound for the keyboard, this would all be avoided.

Track 4, “In the AM”, gives off an acoustic/coffee shop sensibility, while “My Only Weakness” is a smokey melodious number that is lyrically enticing and breathtaking. As you can probably tell, it is one of my favorites with lyrics such as “You’re the cigarette I haven’t smoked in days”. Experiencing this song leaves you melancholic, pensive and quite sexualized, and not necessarily in need of nicotine.

“Funk is Dead” features this cool southern rock riff, which I feel adds immensely to the variety displayed on Live On. The song also features killer keyboard and guitar solos that play off each other perfectly. So by the sound of it, funk is not dead, and by the looks of the “Wanna Funk” shirts Laura is selling through her website that message will keep on rolling.

The next songs “Off Balance” and “10 Weeks” and “Wind Up Doll” are nice but are not stand-outs by any means. However, I do love the infectious quality Laura brings to “10 Weeks” by displaying her softer side. Now, “Whatever Moves You” totally rocks and appropriately moves you. It is righteously funky, bringing forth soul and powerful earth-moving vocals. This song reminds me a bit of “Rolling on the River” by Tina and Ike. It’s flowing, it’s jiving and gets in your head.

Last but not least is the conjuring “Something Today”, a poetic song pieced together with a dazzling J.S. Cheadle’s piano and Laura’s dancing voice. Emotion and drama are wonderfully intertwined into this masterpiece. I wish I could sing this like Laura, but it is all hers. Lyrics such as “I know everyone’s thoughts are like a vacant store, we’ve all been there before” provide a glimpse into our own vulnerability and that of Cheadle’s. Such a wonderful conclusion to a great album; you should really check this one out.

3 out of 5