A black woman has just released a soul/rock album on Sub Pop Records. Before the apocalypse clock edges forward, I'd like to let everybody know that this disc ain't too bad.

Davis occasionally sang backup for Big Chief, a funk rock tribe out of Detroit. The Chief got her swinging on a deal of her own, which probably in no way inspired the song "The Deal," but goddamn if it ain't the best song on this album. Davis makes like an older, wiser, and more female version of Lenny Kravitz, belting out thick helpings of soul over a retro rock tablecloth.

And it's on Sub Pop!

As most debut albums go, this disc has a few clunkers, and the Stevie Wonder cover really didn't do much for me. Thornetta's next album's gonna blow this one away, but this is a pretty good start.

-Jason Josephes