Richard Wilsons latest album was recorded at the historic Royal Studios in Memphis - just a few miles from the Mason Temple.
This is the album’s cover photo -but also the venue for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “Mountaintop” speech-the night before his assassination in 1968.
As subtly hinted in the album title and the title cut, this body of work was inspired by the late civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wilson states that the theme of this album -particularly the title track "Promised Land” -is about love , equality, hope and struggle in todays world - and the message of MLK is as relevant today as it was in 1968.
He wanted to make the concept more profound for this soulful blues album - and it shows.
All the tracks resonate like vignettes of life - all the experiences that individuals go through.
The title track is a duet with Katrina Anderson from Stax soul legends The Bar-Kays - and features a soulful jazz guitar, syncopated descending chord progression.
Other tracks feature the talents of Grammy winning producer/engineer Boo Mitchell ,who also played electric piano on some tracks - and recorded and mixed the album.
Another special guest was Rev Charles Hodges Sr. (legendary master of the Hammond B3 organ) whose talents helped to catapult all of the well known hits of Al Green to the top of the charts.
Damion Pearson (AKA Yella P)- from Memphissippi Sounds added mournful harmonica to the slow blues “Wintertime Blues” about lost love.
Justin Walker adds swinging drums to the jump blues inspired and more up tempo tracks such as “Time To Go Blues”
All the original compositions tracks sound smooth soulful and bluesy.
The soulful voice of Richard Wilson carry the tunes with his trademark blues and jazz inflected guitar parts and song arrangements.
Recording with vintage equipment at the legendary Royal Studios imbued the sessions with a sense of gravitas and importance - and you can hear it in this album.
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