The North Mississippi Allstars return with Set Sail on 28 January via New West Records. The album was produced by Luther and Cody Dickinson, both the sons of Jim Dickinson. As mentioned previously on Folk Radio UK, their father’s musical legacy stretches back into the 60s. Most notably, he played the piano on The Stones Sticky Fingers, also becoming a lynchpin of the Dixie Flyers – the legendary session bands of the south based at Criteria Studios in Miami.
The new 10-song set follows their Grammy Award Nominated 2019 album Up and Rolling and features appearances by Stax Records legend William Bell on the album standout “Never Want To Be Kissed” (which Bell also co-wrote and co-produced).
Over the years, the lineup has shifted by design, and with Set Sail, they mined the talents of Jesse Williams on bass and Lamar Williams, Jr., the son of Allman Brothers bassist Lamar Williams, Sr. on vocals. During the Allman Betts Band Family Revival, the Dickinsons first linked up with Lamar, becoming fast friends and collaborators, paving the way for Set Sail.
“The chemistry we have with this lineup is powerful,” observes Luther. “We are all second-generation musicians and share a telepathic, relaxed ease about creating and performing. I believe music is a form of communion with our loved ones and conjuring this vibe with members of musical families can be inspirational. Lamar and I are like-minded. I’ve never had the pleasure of working with a singing partner like Lamar. He has a true-blue quality in his musicality that will pull you in and break your heart. At the same time, Jesse grew up playing music with his brothers and his father—as did we. He plays like a sibling. I’m drawn to musical families, regardless of style. Playing with second- or third-generation players allows us an easy unspoken musical dialog. It’s not a big thing; it’s just what we do. We never had to figure out what it means and takes to be a musician. We all inherently know.” He continues, “Each generation has to reinvent itself and shed the skin of the elders. On Set Sail, we feel as if we’ve once again ‘broken the code,’ and know what we want and how to get it.”
They have shared a lyric video for Set Sail Part 1, which features a mural by artist Megan Kelly. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Megan’s murals have appeared all over the east coast. Her mesmerising ornate artwork uses systematic, repetitive circular shapes that emphasize colour and combine varying patterns. Her website states, “The simplicity of these basic elements become intricate and important for her when reproduced. They are intended to be universally beautiful and easy on the eye of the viewer.”
Set Sail will be available across digital retailers on January 28th, 2022. Standard Compact Disc and Vinyl editions will be released on April 1st. A limited “Gotham Color” vinyl & compact disc edition featuring exclusive variant packaging & a download with two unreleased bonus tracks will be available at Independent Retailers. An autographed & limited “Cloudy Day” Blue vinyl edition and a limited, autographed compact disc edition are both available for pre-order NOW via NEW WEST RECORDS.
Photo Credit: Jason Thrasher