(Alive Records)

www.aliveenergy.com

Scott Morgan's band the Rationals never broke out of the Detroit centered Midwest rock and roll scene of the 1960s, but of other regional favorites only Bob Seger got more radio airplay there. Like Bobby Hatfield's and fellow Detroiter Mitch Ryder's, Morgan's is a naturally soulful voice which lent authentic authority to the band's combination of rock and roll and "blue-eyed soul".

Decades later he's still got the pipes and, choosing the Four Tops' "Something About You" as his opener, this outstanding disc finds him celebrating his Detroit roots. Morgan's music is grittier now, shown by the echoes of Detroit strongmen the MC5 and the Stooges in the original "Highway" (check Morgan's piano) and a take on "Bring It On Home To Me" that reaches revival show intensity. But a glorious, unique but respectfully faithful interpretation of the Temptation's "Since I Lost My Baby" proves that for the man who once did the same with Chuck Jackson's "I Need You,"  "bringing it" is still no problem.

DOWNLOAD: Mississippi Delta:" "Since I Lost My Baby" RICK ALLEN