New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 4 | Page 129

Jersey Jams Little Steven | “Soulfire” | Wicked Cool/Big Machine/Ume I’m so happy that Little Steven’s first solo album in 16 years is high- ly anticipated on his own Wicked Cool label, including a nearly sold- out show on May 27 at The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, then a European summer tour. The buzz almost makes up for how fo ol- ishly his first two solo albums were overlooked, especially his 1982 debut, “Men without Women,” one of the best albums ever made. Just ask Bruce Springsteen, because I think he would agree with me. Steven and a new version of his Disciples of Souls are back with the smokin’ hot high energy of “Soulfire,” a 12-song blast of the soul, rhythm and blues, and blues that he orchestrated as the found- ing guitarist-producer of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. From the opening Jackson 5-like strut of the title track written with the Denmark-based Wicked Cool act The Breakers to the closing breezy blues of “Ride the Night Away,” “Soulfire” will uplift the hearts and blow the minds of Jukes fans. The Listen to “Soulfire” by Little Steven NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 4 INDEX 129