The Freedom Affair has always been deeply rooted in soul music, but after nearly a decade together, their self-titled sophomore album hones their sound to where Muscle Shoals meets Memphis Soul. It’s a powerful collection of message-driven music, exploring timeless themes of inequity, love, and unity.
A chance encounter in February 2023 with Grammy-winning recording engineer Boo Mitchell (Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Al Green) at Royal Studios sparked a new creative fire in the band. By November, they had returned to the legendary Memphis studio to record a fresh set of Southern Soul-inspired songs.
The group’s signature sound is driven by its powerhouse trio of vocalists—Paula Saunders, Seyko Groves, and Shon Ruffin—whose dynamic range moves seamlessly from tough to tender, touching on heartache and hope. Their experience at Royal Studios also convinced the band that it was the perfect place to capture their horn section. The “one-take” performances from Pete Carroll (trumpet) and Brett Jackson (saxophone) showcase their precision and chemistry, honed through years of playing together.
With the core rhythm section remaining from their debut album Freedom is Love, some key shifts in instrumentation helped refine the band’s evolving sound. Chris Hazelton moves from bass to his primary instrument, the Hammond B3 organ, alongside various keyboards. Branden Moser takes over on bass, his main instrument, after previously handling rhythm guitar. Cole Bales continues crafting timeless riffs on lead guitar, while Dave Brick anchors it all with a heavy boom-bap on drums. This album cements The Freedom Affair’s signature style—soulful melodies, rich arrangements, and a raw, driving pulse.
Royal Studios was the perfect backdrop for this record, and the band embraced its history by incorporating vintage studio equipment into the process. With just four days to track the ten-song album, they insisted on using the same Ampex 1” tape recorder that produced Hi Records hits before 1974. It was the first time the machine had been used for an album since then, adding authenticity and warmth to the recordings. The quirks and limitations of vintage analog gear led to magical moments that define the album’s charm.
Mixed by Vince Chiarito (Hive Mind, Jalen Ngonda, Charles Bradley) and mastered by JJ Golden (Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, The James Hunter Six, Antibalas), this album is a masterclass in soul music—no filler, just pure groove. Capturing the timeless essence of Southern Soul in the very same room that brought us classics from Al Green and Ann Peebles, The Freedom Affair delivers all the warmth and grit of the genre’s golden era.
