Folk / soul / blues / gospel / R&B - they're all part of the Ruthie Foster experience. And after calling her last (and 5th) album The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, the lady's got something to live up to with her latest offering The Truth According To Ruthie Foster.

A Texan singer songwriter veteran of over 10 years - she released her debut album - Full Circle - back in 1997, having already established a significant fan base across the North American and European folk circuit with her contemporary folk mixed with old-school gospel and blues.

Recorded in Memphis at the legendary Ardent Studios with an impressive cast of supporting players including the superb Robben Ford on guitars (Dylan, Joni Mitchell), Jim Dickinson on keys (The Stones, Franklin, Dylan), Charles Hodge on organ (Al Green, Ann Peebles) Larry Fulcher on bass (Taj Mahal) and Rock Deadrick (Tracy Chapman, Ben Harper), the album was produced by Chris Goldsmith (Blind Boys, Charlie Musselwhite).

So what you've got is a seasoned bunch of pros who know how to lay down a lick, or three. As a result, the album has a seasoned feel with a nice loose groove. The material, like previous outings covers a wide range of styles, and while predominantly rooted in r&b, it covers just about every genre - hell, there's even some reggae. And to top it there's Ruthie's soulful vocals.

An honest, no frills album, The Truth According To Ruthie Foster bears many similarities to Tina Turner's mid 80s output (without the gloss). The truth is, if Turner had gone back to her roots and not followed the yankee dollar, this is the album she could have made. And that's no small compliment.

***

Review by Pete Whalley