There are countless tributes to this little town in Alabama! Muscle Shoals: Small Town, Big Sound looks back on these productions from legendary studios M.S.S.S (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio) and Fame, that changed the history of soul music. Beyond a simple tribute, it is a flashback that reflects on an entire era. The sixties saw the rise of the great producer Rick Hall, a visionary and craftsman of soul music, but also of the Swampers, who played for a multitude of artists: Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Cher, Joe Cocker, James Brown, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and many others. On the fringes of country and rock’n’roll, with blues and even pop influences, it would take ten albums like this one to explore it all. This tribute album remains faithful to the magic of Muscle Shoals. Grace Potter brings Etta James back to life on I'd Rather Go Blind, Steve Tyler and Nuno Bettencourt tear up Keith and Mick’s Brown Sugar, and Kid Rock provides a little surprise with Clarence Carter’s Snatching It Back. Even the new generation joins the party! Jason Isbell, the ambassador of modern country rock, puts his spin on Candi Staton’s I Ain't Easy To Love. With groovy soul and a warm atmosphere, this project also carries a strong emotional load. Led by Rodney Hall (Rick’s son), this album is a tribute to his father who passed away in early 2018 and couldn’t see it fully finished. Needless to say, the small town with the big sound is not stopping anytime soon… © Clara Bismuth/Qobuz