Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves The 'soul war' is on. Sick of all the attention that Miss Winehouse has been getting on both sides of the Atlantic, Uncle Sam is fighting back. The man refusing to let the UK be the new home of soul is an underground star from Boston called Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and his band The True Loves. With '50s rhythms that make your whole body gyrate with the urge to dance and howling vocals that send a tingle down your spine, this is an album packed with character.

Reed and his band are old school, there's no doubt about that. Guitars, bass and drums which are backed up by sax and trumpet give his songs a fullness that leave you expecting each band member to appear from behind the furniture.

Reed's voice is truly something special. His delivery is perfect on every note, and it feels like you're listening to a profound story-teller who guides you through the ups and downs of this record. 'Stake Your Claim', 'Take My Love With You' and 'Won't Give Up Without A Fight' will make you want to attend jive lessons at the local community centre just so you can release the groove running through your veins. In addition, you can imagine 'Satisfier' as the perfect music playing in your mind when you approach someone in a bar - it'll give you just the right walk.

Roll With You has its tender moments too. 'It's Easier' and '(Am I Just) Fooling Myself' really showcase the great power and balance of Reed's voice in great love songs. There are no real weak points on this record. Indeed, 'I'm Gonna Get Back' and '(Doin' The) Boom Boom' feel like they should be accompanying a movie soundtrack by Tarantino.

Admittedly, none of this sound is new, but does it really matter when it's this good - soul hasn't been done this well since the '50s and '60s. The fun runs through the album from start to finish and with cool nicknames like Man Hawk, Funkatron and Strange Affection you really get the impression that these guys love what they’re doing.