Dave Keller’s new album “La Brea” arrives at a moment when soul-blues—that fertile middle ground between traditional blues grit and contemporary soul sophistication—deserves more recognition than it typically receives. This 11-track collection on Tastee-Tone Records demonstrates why artists operating in this space remain vital to blues music’s evolution.
Keller’s trajectory over recent years has positioned him as one of the more consistent voices in modern soul-blues. Unlike some contemporary blues artists who lean heavily on nostalgia or strict genre adherence, Keller seems genuinely interested in the emotional authenticity that both blues and soul traditions demand. The very existence of “La Brea”—born from an archive of unreleased material—speaks to something important: a working musician’s commitment to craft that extends beyond what makes it onto albums.
This matters because the soul-blues tradition carries significant weight in American music history. Artists like Bobby “Blue” Bland, Lowell Fulson, and Johnny Taylor understood that blues didn’t have to abandon sophisticated arrangements or emotional nuance to remain authentic. That lineage continues through contemporary artists like Keller, who navigate the space between raw blues expression and polished soul sensibilities.
The album’s 49-minute runtime suggests Keller and his team exercised thoughtful curation from that substantial archive. Quality over quantity—a principle that feels increasingly relevant in our streaming era. With 11 tracks, listeners get a focused listening experience rather than padding, which respects both the material and the audience’s time.
What’s particularly intriguing about Keller’s approach is how it reflects modern blues demographics. Soul-blues audiences span generations: longtime blues enthusiasts who appreciate melodic sophistication, soul music fans exploring blues roots, and younger listeners discovering these artists through streaming platforms. An artist who can speak authentically to all three constituencies deserves attention.
The Tastee-Tone Records platform also merits recognition here. Independent blues labels continue doing essential work keeping artists in front of audiences when major labels have largely abandoned blues territory. Every soul-blues album released independently represents a genuine commitment to the music over commercial calculation.
“La Brea” represents something worth celebrating: a blues musician with something to say, the discipline to say it well, and an audience willing to listen. In a landscape where blues often gets relegated to heritage status, Keller reminds us the tradition remains alive and capable of genuine artistic growth. That’s worth your attention.
