Brian Scartocci is a veteran soul singer and songwriter who recently dropped his debut solo album. For more than a decade, the singer has been making a name for himself in the red-hot Austin music scene. The renowned vocalist has lent his voice to a series of popular local and regional bands including Austin Heat and Blind Lead The Blind.
In 2012 Brian Scartocci wowed an international audience as a contestant on the hugely popular competitive singing program, The Voice. Now based in Texas, the New Jersey native has established a reputation across the United States as a dynamic performer and gifted vocalist. Known for interacting directly with the audience, he can often be found offstage, getting down with the crowd.
Soul Shakedown is the brand new album from Brian Scartocci, released worldwide via all major streaming services on December 31, 2022. The twelve song set is the realization of a years-long creative journey for the singer. From the soulful nostalgia of the opening track “Days of Glory” to the ‘wall of sound’ production on tracks like “Darlin”, Scartocci and collaborator Austin Roach gleefully conjure the sweet sounds of classic soul scenes of the past, from Motown to Muscle Shoals
Although the vibe is decidedly retro, there is consistency of style and quality that gives the record its own distinct feel. The performances are impeccable. The band shines, and there is some particularly nice guitar playing throughout the album.
At center stage is the soul man himself. Recalling the heartbroken vibrato tenor of icons like Otis Redding and Bill Withers, Brian Scartocci croons tales of love, loss and introspection. He searches for peace of mind on beautiful and melancholy tracks like “Lady Mercy ” and the cinematic “Slow Your Roll”, and revels in the fun of funky love songs on “Sweet Funky Nonsense”. The album closer “99 Degrees’ ‘ is a real highpoint, injecting some rock & roll vibes into this smooth soul collection.
Check out Soul Shakedown in its entirety below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the songs “99 Degrees” on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Brian Scartocci. Get on his socials and join the singer as he enters this exciting new phase of his musical journey.
