The Atlanta outfit Soulphonics, formerly of Gainesville, is led by sultry frontwoman Ruby Velle, a diminutive woman who packs a dynamite punch with her boundless charisma and vocal chops. She's backed by a tighter-than-a-gnat's-ass band that delivers rubbery bass lines and punchy horns reminiscent of the sounds that propelled James Brown. The Soulphonics' originals stick to the soul template with timeless rhythms and lyrics that wouldn't sound out of place on the airwaves in '68 but manage to avoid of genre clichés.
Soulphonics w/DJ Blenda, 9 p.m. Fri., March 28, New World Brewery, Ybor City, $TBA.
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2008.