Not since Atlantic Records’ foray into the American south or the golden age of soul music at the Apollo Theatre and Chicago’s Regal Theatre has the gritty sound of southern soul appeared with such force as with the Rabbit Factory Soul Revue. This vintage “chitlin circuit”-styled revue features classic southern soul artists performing with an eight-piece dance band, Wiley & the Checkmates, from Oxford, MS. These shows are a godsend for many fans of American music.
The core Revue line up consists of the Checkmates playing behind Herbert Wiley, the Legendary Roscoe Robinson, Ralph ‘Soul’ Jackson and Hermon Hitson. The Checkmates have also backed up Harvey Scales, Eddie Bo and Bobby Patterson.
The Rabbit Factory Soul Revue has performed at the 7th Annual Ponderosa Stomp, SXSW 2008, McCarren Pool Party in Brooklyn and 2nd Hideout Inn/Rabbit Factory Summer Soulstice as well as other national dates.
"When Jackson strode out it immediately kicked to a higher level. Here was a time-warp, slightly manic, fully fledged soul man who may have missed out on the big breaks way back when, but still has the goods when most of his brethren are dead and gone. Suddenly we were back in the golden era…Classic soul music was alive and well."
-Keith Glass, Rhythms (Australia)
"Between Herbert Wiley’s red zoot suit, Herman Hitson shredding notes on his vintage Strat and Ralph Jackson working the room like a tent-show preacher with the Devil breathing down his neck, it was hard to single out individual moments and performances."
-John T. Davis, AUSTIN 360"Oxford’s Wiley & the Checkmates, Atlanta’s Herman Hitson and Birmingham’s Ralph Soul Jackson served up three sets’ worth of the finest and most low-to-the-ground authentic funk and soul I’ve witnessed in ages."
-Fred Mills, HARP"Although the wheels of fate kept Jackson from ever hitting the big time, he’s not just another oddity from the crypt. His upbeat southern soul style is as much of a floor-filler as any chart topper from Stax."
-Alison Fensterstock, New Orleans GambitHerbert Wiley - Oxford, MS.
HI Guys, Chief here... Soul Revue Site looks great! I am sure you guys will tear 'em up in NYC on July 6th. Please give everyone best regards from Playground. We're looking forward to your next visit... Thanks for keeping the "Soul Alive" ( nice album title BTW) It's a long way from Boggy Bayou to NY city.. Nice blue suit Ralph! the playground team
