is the debut studio album from the 11-piece , who already have a reputation as a wildly exciting live jam group. That said, the record that and husband have recorded proves something beyond their well-founded reputation as a live unit: that they can write, perform, and produce great songs that capture the authentic, emotional fire and original arrangements that so many modern blues and roots recordings lack. The duo forged their two individual solo bands ( remains with the ) and added some other players. and , as well as drummers are on board, as well as backing vocalists and a horn section. Produced by , these 12 songs seamlessly meld blues, rock, Southern soul, gospel, and funk traditions into a heady, seductive, spine-slipping stew. The record also showcases as one of the finest vocal stylists in roots music, and , has become the only true heir of 's bell-like slide guitar tone, his taste and restraint. More than this, offers proof that this pair and their bandmates are serious songwriters as well as players--anyone remember the original ? It's like that, but with a woman up front. While the single, highlights the softer,side of the band with 's soulful croon and ' swooning slide, it's the harder numbers that fill out the story. The sexy opener the bluesy, gospelized (one of two cuts written by with ), the second-line funk-blues of with its punchy horns; all of these offer evidence of the real depth that this band abundantly possesses. There's the skittering, slow-tempo guitar and B-3 soul-blues of and the New Orleans-style horns introducing which can distract the listener for a moment from experiencing these songs for what they are-- until opens her mouth and lets the lyrics come up from her belly and drip from her lips and matches her emotion in his solo-- love songs; the likes of which we haven't heard since . The Eastern modal tinge in ' playing and tablas dustinguishes tempered by the quiet conviction in the grain of Tedeschi's vocal would have made for a better single. The nasty, funky, droning blues of is textured by 's funky clavinet and Wurlitzer. Speaking of funk, takes her own smoking guitar break in a slamming, break-ridden funk tune that quakes. It combines hard Southern -styled rhythm, soul, blues, and nasty-ass rock. is a roots record that sets a modern standard even as it draws its inspiration from the past. It's got everything a listener could want: grit, groove, raw, spiritual emotion, and expert-level musical truth. ~ Thom Jurek