King Louie & LaRhonda Steele

Rock Me Baby
Self-Produced

Organ master Louis Pain states on his website that he and LaRhonda Steele have performed with one another off and on over the years and that the combination has always been magic. Perhaps that should be spelled M-A-G-I-C in capital letters because that is exactly what this pair together puts out. From the first time that you listen to this “King Louie” and LaRhonda Steele collaboration disc Rock Me, there is a funky good soul moving throughout that it is going to make your toes curl in ecstasy. The blend of those electronic keys and LaRhonda’s soaring always sexy vocals captures a groove on these that draws you in deeper with every listen.

All tracks are covers of well-known numbers that take from various genres including blues like “Twenty Nine Ways,” or “Rock Me Baby,” to funky soul “It’s Your Thing,” to rock classics such as “Walking The Dog,” or “I Wish” to beautiful loungier numbers like “What A Difference A Day Makes.” The only song that many who have not seen LaRhonda perform that might come as a surprise is her outstanding take on Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” that she will usually dedicate to the memory of Janice Scroggins and Linda Hornbuckle. It is a stand-out performance as she points out all of the attributes that make up a phenomenal woman like herself, as she is joined with background vocals by her daughters Sarah and Lauren Steele. The other track that is sensational is her take on “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman.” Her voice is out there and can make your hair stand on end, hitting a nerve of delight in this amazing rendition.

Throughout the disc, Louis Pain drives the pace. So wonderful to hear the band led from behind the keys. It adds such a great direction that can bring us to dance or take us to church and all of it right out in the forefront blending with LaRhonda’s vocals to perfection.

Other musicians highlighted include Renato Caranto’s saxophone work that takes numbers up to another level; guitar handywork by Dave Iula and Doug Lewis; Brian Foxworth and Edwin Coleman III set the pace on drums; and James Mullen captures just the right enhancement on piano of “Phenomenal Woman.”

Whether you prefer jazz, soul, or blues, King Louie & LaRhonda Steele have you covered with Rock Me Baby. Not only is this a well-made recording, it will make you feel good just by pushing play. It’s certainly going to capture your ears in a very pleasing manner.

Total Time: 48:20

Twenty Nine Ways / It’s Your Thing / Rock Me Baby / Phenomenal Woman / I Love You More Today Than Yesterday / What A Difference A Day Makes / For You My Love / Walking The Dog / You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman / I Wish / Blue Moon