The Soul of John Black - Good Thang (2011)

Twenty-first-century soul man John "JB" Bigham blends the sounds of Stax and the space age on Good Thang, the latest from his musical alter-ego The Soul of John Black.

Good Thang explores R&B, rock, pop, and electronica, but it's all about love: JB's love for classic soul and blues, love of driving old-school synth-funk bass, and, most important, love for his family. At the heart of this collection of feel-good grooves are the title track and "Lil Mama's in the Kitchen" -- graceful essays on the joys of domestic bliss that capture Good Thang's distinctive mix of organic sounds and cutting-edge production.

Good Thang follows 2009's Black John, which yielded the radio hit "Betty Jean," and 2007's The Good Girl Blues, a funky blend of classic and modern blues, soul, rock, funk and hip-hop. JB's unique stylistic fusion has won praise from Rolling Stone, NPR and others. And he's toured and recorded with fellow trailblazers Miles Davis, Dr. Dré, Nikka Costa, and Eminem, but his experimental roots go back to his eight years on guitar and keyboards in pioneering ska-funk-punk band Fishbone.