Southeast Performer Magazine
January 2008
Recorded Reviews
By Shawn M. Haney

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket – soul:music

Laura Reed digs deep into her conscience to deliver a powerful portrait of soul and funk rock music. Soul:Music is the first collection of songs that will most likely pave a bright future for this stunning and highly creative artist.
            Reed’s backing foundation of musicians make up Deep Pocket, and their music is stirring and highly infectious. “Well” opens with drive, harnessing the rich, sultry and sonorous vocals of Reed, complimented by gripping dynamics of Ben Didelot (bass), Jimbonk (percussion) and the thick sustain of Ryan Burns on Hammond B3 organs.
            “Forces at Play” really pushes the album’s overall atmosphere into high gear, sending energy through the room, most notably because of the brilliant lead guitars of Josh Phillips and dazzling horn section of Greg Hollowell and Derrick Johnson.
            The music of this epic work is honest and full of soul, as the album’s title so aptly expresses. Laura Reed takes her international roots and background (born in Johannesburg, South Africa) and succeeds in bringing together a collection of funk, world groove and soul, igniting the listeners with melodies that reflect on social themes and major global issues.
            “Rise Up” truly raises the roof off the venue. While “Don’t Go” paints a subtle and beautiful portrait, reflecting the pains and heartaches of relationships coming to an end. The album’s pace is quite well orchestrated, with songs composed in refreshing fashion, full of spunk and spice.
            Her voice is captivating, following in the footsteps of great vocalists Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and contemporaries Amy Winehouse, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu.
            Reed and her fellow musicians play with ease, strong in form and chemistry, and impeccable melodic and percussive delivery. (Self-released)