Moka warms the soul

Music Row
By Brian Rademaekers

Philly is a soul town, through and through.
In the 1970s, our own special flavor of soul — Philly Soul — made waves across the country with its funk influences and lush arrangements, and later paved the way for that crazy stuff they called disco.
And while attention over the years has drifted to various other Philly music scenes that have sprouted, soul is still alive in the City of Brotherly Love.
Proving that is Moka, a six-piece from Northern Liberties with the ability to deliver some incredibly smooth soul jams that are as complex as they are cool.
Even if you aren’t really a fan of modern-day soul, this is a band to appreciate. Moka’s sound is electric, alive, fluid, and smattered with eclectic influences. The smoky undertones of soul are there too, and they are oh so good.
On its latest album, Time is Now, the group calls on a touch of blues, classic Philly soul, Motown, acid jazz guitar riffs, hip-hop lyricism, gospel goodness, reggae vibes and a healthy dose of rock vigor.
If that seems like a lot, that’s because it is.
Arranged primarily by lead guitarist Robb McCall, the songs of Moka are stunningly lush pieces of composition that underscore the skills of the experienced family of musicians who make up the band.
In many ways, Moka is an instrumental glory that could stand on its own quite nicely. McCall is a Philly native from a musical family who trained classically at the Settlement Music School and studied world music at the New England Conservatory of Music. That training shines through in his arrangements, a compelling blend of rocking musicianship and tight execution.
Giving life to his creations is a cast of seasoned music men, including percussionist Luis DiCupe, Damon Bennett on the keys, bassist Tone Whitfield, and alternating drummers Jimmy Coleman and Steve McKie.
The cherry on top, though, is Pauline Houston, the mama lion of Moka who gives voice to the heady grooves of funk, jazz and soul explored by the band.
Houston, also a Philly native from a music-rich family that happens to include some 23 other siblings, sports a voice that is capable of deep seductive soul, rough blues and straight-up rock.
It’s a pliability that’s needed to keep up with the diverse sounds of Moka, and Houston does just that while adding yet another layer of richness to the songs with her deft vocals.
All this is wonderfully captured on Time is Now, which was released in October. Produced and recorded by McCall at his Charging Bull Studio in Northern Liberties with a style that sought to mirror the studio magic employed by soul icons Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the album contains a number of gems that make it well worth seeking out.
Songs like Wash Away showcase Houston’s powerful vocals, while a cool modern medley of orchestration sparkles in the background. Listen closely and you’ll hear that Moka has plenty to say in the realm of political and social thought, too.
On Still, Moka breaks out its jazzy side and proves it can excel in this realm, with splashing cymbals and some delicate keyboard playing.
Dance With Me is one of the album’s more rocking numbers, with an exotic backbeat and some truly solid guitar-playing by McCall and the complement of Houston’s bold vocals.
And, while Time is Now does indeed capture the great musical vision of Moka — the band calls its sound "True Soul" — seeing the ensemble live is whole other experience.
Houston is an animated presence who can’t help but enrapture the crowd with her fervent dancing and imploring vocals. And the boys, well, let’s just say they get sucked into some pretty wild improvisational rock-outs that really take the Moka songs to a new level. ••

Check it out . . .
Who: Moka
What: A smoking good band re-inventing Philly Soul
Where: The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave.
When: Saturday, March 15, at 10 p.m. Tickets are $8.