Kelly Finnigan: “Be Your Own Shelter”

We’re starting to sound like a broken record over here…but the retro soul renaissance? Not only is it verifiable; it just keeps getting better and better. And one of the movement’s biggest players is back at it again.

We’re talking about Kelly Finnigan, the chief songwriter and class act frontman of psychedelic soul giants Monophonics who’s also found plenty of success on the solo tip. When you hear Kelly sing, you might assume that his pipes are his strongest skillset outside of piano. But even when he’s not behind the mic or the ivories, Finnigan’s become a prized producer and engineer for other soul outfits thanks to his careful flirtations with pretty much anything you could categorize as “classic R&B-soul”, including a deep understanding of old school mixing. Seriously, it’s almost unnecessary to liken Kelly’s compositions and arrangements to specific artists, since his expansive discography offers so much ’60s-and-’70s-inspired variety.

And although we were anticipating the instrumental version of 2022’s Sage Motel for the next installment of Kelly Finnigan’s incredibly consistent release schedule, this year we’re getting something completely fresh: A Lover Was Born, out October 18th. Kelly hasn’t missed yet, and we’re not expecting him to on this near-dozen batch of new tunes. Because where some of the most creative beatmakers have breathed new life into dusty sounds through sample flips, Kelly once again internalizes and rejuvenates those R&B-soul rarities that exist within and enhance said genres.

Hear for yourself on the LP’s second lead single, “Be Your Own Shelter”, and try not to imagine Isaac Hayes and co. nodding their heads in approval.

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