New releases of classic soul, cool jazz make up four-star reviews this week

This week’s four-star column is all about sonic variety. Tinsley Ellis’ album contains elements of blues, classic soul, cool jazz and more. Albums from Silent Pictures and Pink Mexico tested your reviewer’s descriptive-writing and Internet-searching skills.

‘Red Clay Soul,’ Tinsley Ellis (Heartfixer Music, ☆☆☆☆)

This June 3 CD is likely available in other formats, and comes from an “old hippie” whose soul is filled with red clay as well as Stax soul, blues and other forms of roots music.

The up-tempo blues-based opener “All I Think About” and “Givin’ You Up” are mission statements: they present two sides of Tinsley and his musical cohorts (co-producer/multi-instrumentalist Kevin McKendree, guitar/vocalist Oliver Wood, drummer Lynn Williams, bassist Steve Mackey and one-song backing vocalist Wendy Moten). Other favorites: The Al Green-ish “Callin’,” the swampy “Circuit Rider” and the cool keyboards of McKendree, which round out many of the tunes.

Fans of blues and classic soul music will really enjoy this album.

‘Let It Begin,’ Silent Pictures (Burger Records, ☆☆☆☆) ‘Fool,’ Pink Mexico (Green Fuse Records, ☆☆☆☆)

These two releases came via the “burned CD” route, I’m sure they’re available in more normal formats. Silent Pictures was released June 24, and Pink Mexico came out July 15. Band members’ info was rounded up from Facebook.

Pink Mexico (Grady Walker, Ian Everall and Robert Preston) began as a solo project for Preston, who has drummed for a number of bands. However, it’s hard to tell who plays what, as well as who wrote and sang the songs. Splashy drums, often-distorted guitars and tenor lead vocals are hallmarks of most of the hook-filled musical adventures. Lead guitar breaks are melodic, and the drumming recalls early Dave Grohl. A couple of slower songs, at least one with clean guitars, round out a well-crafted, tuneful album.

Silent Pictures has a larger line-up: Alexander Mann/vocals, guitars, bass, keys and drums; Rene Love/vocals, guitar and percussion; Christina Stanley/vocals, keys and violin; Jafar Green/bass and Dave Conrad/drums. There are several additional musicians, plus a producer and DJ. Their music has an Eighties feel without over-reliance on synthesizers.

Mostly clean guitar sounds, baritone lead vocals and mid-tempo tunes are in evidence on most tunes. There is a smooth, tight and subtle feel in evidence, even though the vocals aren’t as special as vintage Bryan Ferry. Sample tunes from these bands are available on the Internet, and most likely, their music is available by the song and/or complete album form. Fans of ’80s/early-’90s Brit-pop will enjoy Silent Pictures, where fans of early grunge and classic punk rock will dig Pink Mexico.

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 6:00 AM with the headline "New releases of classic soul, cool jazz make up four-star reviews this week."