With this new release, the Marshall Tucker Band’s Doug Gray goes from southern rock into more of an R&B vibe. Gray exhibits blue-eyed soul like Daryl Hall and Michael McDonald throughout the whole album.

It was recorded with all of the original Marshall Tucker Band members, except for Tommy Caldwell who died the year before, as the back-up band and while they were in-between record deals in 1981. Then it was later re-mastered by veteran studio session players in Nashville and has been tucked away for 30 years and is just now being released.

There are eight R&B covers ranging from “More Today Then Yesterday,” originally done by the Spiral Staircase’s in 1969, which showcases Gray’s soulful upbeat vocals. He then slows the tempo with “Still Thinking of You,” where his sensuality peaks.

It is everything you would expect out of early ’80s R&B: driving funky bass, synthesizers and a vast vocal range. To a traditional Marshall Tucker fan, this album may seem cheesy. But you can hear Gray’s soul all throughout his regular southern rock music and also “Soul of the South.”

1. LET ME BE THE FOOL
2. WHO
3. SANDMAN
4. GUILITY
5. DON’T BALME IT ON THE RAIN
6. NEVER ENOUGH
7. STILL THINKING OF YOU
8. MORE TODAY THEN YESTERDAY