Searching by Staples Jr. Singers

It happens at times that a stone cold classic from a bygone era gets rediscovered. But how often does that rediscovery happen when the band is still around? And how often does it lead to a new album? That’s the surprising circumstance behind the Staples Jr. Singers’ long-awaited second album, Searching (out June 14).

You likely know the Staples Jr. Singers—the family band from Aberdeen, Mississippi—from their first and only record, 1975’s When Do We Get Paid (Luaka Bop, 2022). They made that record themselves when they were only teenagers. Finally, in a moment they’ve been waiting for most of their lives, the family is back with their sophomore album. Recorded in 2023 in West Point, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by Ahmed Gallab, aka Sinkane, the first pressing comes with a booklet of photos by Adam Wissing and notes by Anton Spice.

Tracklist

1.	Living In This World Alone feat. Annie Brown Caldwell	3:01

2.	Lost In A World Of Sin	4:02

3.	You Got To Believe	3:08

4.	Walk Around Heaven	3:35

5.	I've Got a Feeling	2:53

6.	Don't Need No Doctor	4:10

7.	I Don't Need Nobody But You	7:07

8.	Get On Board	2:45

Videos

Credits

released June 14, 2024

Edward Brown - vocals
Annie Brown Caldwell - vocals
R.C. Brown - vocals, guitar
Troy Brown - background vocals
Gary Brown - bass
Jaylin Brown - drums

Mickey Smay - electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Steve Daly - resonator guitar, baritone guitar, pedal steel
Parker James - vibraphone
Gerald Jenkins - Hammond B-3

This record was lovingly recorded at The Message Center as a family in West Point, Mississippi, October 2023.

Produced by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab
Engineered by Albert Di Fiore
Mastered and lacquer cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman
Executive Produced by Yale Evelev and Eric Welles-Nyström

Liner Notes by Anton Spice
Eliza Grace Martin is the soul of the operation
Designed by Paul Tyree-Francis
Photographs by Adam Wissing. West Point, Mississippi, Oct 2023.
Props to Jacques Lang, who spent every day of our recording session with a camera on his shoulder.

Thanks to Mrs. Linda Brown, R.C.’s wife, and Mrs. Jewel Brown, Edward’s wife, for absolutely everything. And thanks to R.C.’s daughter Ms. Sondra Brown, Troy’s eldest son Treyvon Brown, Troy’s younger son Kolton Brown, and R.C.’s grandson Damarion Potts for joining us during the session; to Pastor Elder Orlando C. Pannell of The Message Center, who graciously let us set up in his house of worship; to Annie’s husband Willie Joe Caldwell, Sr., for opening the door every morning and closing it every night; and to Christian Georgiadis of Bacana for sending the band to Europe and to Pierre Chêne for being there with them.

Additional thanks to everyone in West Point, Mississippi, and especially to the Tin Lizzie Café (best pork chops), Pantry 45 (best casserole), Soprano’s Cafe and Billiards pool hall (best jukebox) and Anthony's Market (best blackened catfish). And thanks to Copy Cow and Backstage Music in Starkville, and Buxton’s Music in Aberdeen, where the Staples Jr. Singers used to go as kids and where the son-in-law of Mr. Buxton himself, Lane, can now help get you what you need.

A most sincere and special heartfelt thanks goes to Mrs. Marie Lashaye Brown, Troy’s wife, for covering for Jaylin when he was late for his shift at McDonald’s because our sessions ran over. And thank you to Leslie Gill for helping us tell this story.

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