Pound of Dirt

There’s plenty of sweltering, horn-powered R&B here—but also moments of unexpected subtlety. Singer Arleigh Kincheloe leads the Brooklyn-based combo through a brace of tunes that recall both contemporary soul acts like Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and such ‘60s-era brass ensembles as Ten Wheel Drive. Further defining the sound are Jackson Kincheloe’s wailing harmonica riffs and Sasha Brown's blazing, slightly psychedelic guitar work. The Dirty Birds make the most of their four-piece horn section with creative arrangements that veer from the simmering New Orleans groove of “Millie Mae” to the jittery funk of “Lasso” and the crowd-rousing Memphis soul of “Too Much.” Kincheloe proves herself a compelling, gutsy belter on scorching upbeat numbers like “Make It Rain” and “Dirt.” She’s even better when she digs into slower tracks like “Hollow Bones,” “Horse to Water," and “Another Ride” (the latter boasting an especially evocative, nostalgia-filled lyric). Touches of old-time jazz, blues rock, and disco give Pound of Dirt a distinct flavor that should please soul purists and adventuresome pop fans alike.