Neal Francis has released one of our favorite soul-inflected records of this year. His album Changes is a gift that keeps on giving. Francis has created an inspired collection of songs steeped in New Orleans rhythms, Chicago blues, and early '70s rock n' roll. There is a deep connection between Francis's childhood - his obsession with boogie woogie piano, his father's gift of a dusty Dr. John LP - and the songs he's created. The result is an astonishing collection of material without parallel in the contemporary funk and soul scene. The influences are unmistakable: the vocal stylings of Allen Toussaint and Leon Russell; the second line rhythms of The Meters and Dr. John; the barroom rock 'n' roll of The Rolling Stones; the gospel soul of Billy Preston; the roots music of The Band. Francis pays tribute to the masters but has his own story to tell. "It's the life I've lived so far. I just wanted to be honest about everything, from my musical influences to my story," muses Neal Francis. After years of dishonest living-consumed by drugs, alcohol, and addiction, such sincerity is jarring from the 30-year-old Chicago-based musician. Liberated from a self-destructive past and born anew in sobriety, Neal Francis has delivered an album for the ages. We couldn't be more excited to welcome him to Grimey's for a free, all ages in-store appearance.