Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra (APSO)
by Tom Baldino
I recently found the latest release from Nola Blue Records in my mailbox, and after one listen, I can tell you it continues a string of fine recordings produced by this indie label. The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra are based in San Francisco and have been together since 2007 with seven releases to their credit, as well as an impressive nineteen BMA nominations. This 12-piece group featuring Grammy nominated Willy Jordan on vocals, delivers eleven soul drenched originals and one cover.
They lead off with the horn based original “Still Smellin’ Smoke,” a soulful tune that starts with Bowen Brown’s drum roll followed up by the four-horn attack of Derek James on trombone, Ethan Pires on trumpet, Charles McNeal on tenor Sax and Johnnie Belmont on baritone sax. With Anthony laying down some tasty licks over Tony Lufrano’s keyboards and Tim Walker’s bass, the band sets the tone for Willy Jordans powerful vocals aided by the background sounds of Larry Batiste and Omega Rae. This tune will have you tapping your toes to the beat as your mind registers some great lyrics. Next up, they slow things down on the ballad “Too Late,” with the band creating a powerful sound to match the intense vocal presentation that Willy delivers, which will send a shiver down your spine.
“Stranger” uses the tried-and-true formula of a mid-tempo soul song, but sounds as fresh as today, with the interplay of the horns and vocals. Again, Willy’s voice is like cream that rises to the top, floating over the instruments and background vocals to deliver these well-informed lyrics. The band picks up the pace on “You Lie Like A Rug,” with Willy using this well-worn phrase to describe the current object of his affection. The band punctuates his accusations right up to the abrupt ending! “Bigger Guitar,” gives Willy a song off and allows Anthony and the band show off their chops on this terrific instrumental that emphasizes all that’s good with this Honky Tonk style.
The title track “What Can We Do?” is a Doo-wop song with a social message that asks that rhetorical question, with the answer being, the power of love. Willy sounds like he means every word in this heartfelt number. The lush sound of the horn section introduces the beautiful ballad “The Heart Never Says Goodbye.” I can see a floor full of slow dancers swaying to this tune, with Willy and the band belting it out for all their worth.
The song “Secret” has Willy telling his lover he “ain’t gonna be your secret anymore!”, with band driving that point home, including some stealthy guitar from Anthony. On ‘If It Ain’t One Thing It’s Two,” they pick up the beat with Willy’s frustration pouring out in his vocals and, again featuring Anthony’s fine fret work on this up-tempo number. For the song “Walkin,” Willy show his vocal range, singing in a falsetto that gives this song a real Motown feel, with the horns and backup singers adding to the authentic mix.
The only cover here, a song made famous by Dean Martin, “Your Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” starts off with a Muddy Waters beat but settles into the song you would recognize but Willy gives it his own vocal twist with the help of that ever-present horn section. “Blue Mood Indica” has its roots in “Mood Indigo,” but this original instrumental is so much more, with fresh jazzy horn charts and some fine soloing from Anthony to wrap up a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining set, from and orchestra paired with one fine soul singer.
What you can do is pick up a copy of this collection of songs via www.anthonypaule.com, or ant@anthonypaul.com. Availability begins July 24, 2026.