Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band- Full Circle
- chicagoblueseditor
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Release date: November 2025
Delmark Records
By Linda Cain
What happens when you connect a Delta/Chicago bluesman with a soulful, jazzy organ-led band?
The result is a swinging, funky, groove-filled good time!
The folks at historic blues/jazz label Delmark Records (started in 1953) came up with the concept to enlist singer/guitarist Jimmy Burns to revisit his long ago hit singles on various, long gone labels such as Tip Top, Erica and Inferno.
Elbio Barilari, Delmark’s artistic director, had a light bulb go off that led to recruiting renowned B-3 virtuoso Chris Foreman and his Soul Message Band to back up Burns and help reinvent these gems on 45s from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Fellow Delmark recording artist Foreman is a virtuoso B-3 whiz, very much in the mold of Hammond organ icons Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff and Jack McDuff. His band includes longtime drummer Greg Rockingham, guitarist Lee Rothenberg, sax players Geof Bradfield on tenor and Greg Jung on alto. Special guests include Steve Eisen on baritone and tenor saxes and jazz diva Typhanie Monique on backup vocals. There is no bass player in Soul Message; Foremen handles the bottom notes all on the keys.
While Burns is best known in recent times for his blues music with songs like “Miss Annie Lou,” and “Leaving Here Walking” on earlier Delmark releases, he has always branched out into other genres, both live and in the studio. For his 2011 indie release, Stuck in the Middle With You, Burns covered Gerry Rafferty’s hit from the ‘70s (“Clowns to the left of me/Jokers to the right”) along with renditions of pop and rock tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s featuring his vocals and guitar.
It’s just one example of his versatility. And Full Circle showcases his talents even more so. At age 82, Burns still burns it up both on stage and in the studio; he stands as an inspiration and a musical treasure.
Chris Foreman is also a living icon on Chicago’s jazz scene; his long career includes touring the world with Soul Message, both as headliners and as the opener for Steely Dan for eight years. Foreman and Soul Message have been inducted in the Hammond B3 Hall of Fame.
Together, Burns, Foreman and the band bring it Full Circle.
The opening track is a lively cover of the 1970 Charles Wright hit “Express Yourself” with its oh so funky grooves; Jimmy Burns beckons us to “Do it do it do it, shake what you got” with some powerful soul shouting. Who can resist heading to the dance floor?
Big Joe Turner’s “World of Trouble” starts with Foreman’s fingers flying over the keys, in this swingin’ jazzy blues tune with a Ray Charles vibe. Burns bemoans having a bad case of the lowdown blues as Bradfield on tenor sax and guitarist Rothenberg play sublime solos that deliver the message.
Then it’s back to upbeat R&B with the Bobby Slim James number, “I Really Love You,” which Burns recorded in 1971 and became a hit. And the 45 later became a collector’s item, going for as much as $1,200 in the UK. Burns, Foreman and the band pull out all the stops on this timeless classic, with Typhanie joining in with her sweet and subtle backup vocals.
Speaking of timeless classics, Foreman and the band (minus Burns) deliver a lovely and melodic instrumental cover of the Buddy Johnson 1945 standard “Since I Fell for You.” Soul Message’s smooth, soulful cover features Foreman’s lush organ solo while the tune is highlighted by Jung’s dramatic alto sax solo when the band drops out.
“Ain’t That Funk For You” is another instrumental, which drummer Rockingham says: “embodies the energy and groove driven sound of funk music.” This hip swaying, head boppin’ number swings from the jump with jammin’ grooves galore.
Burns and Soul Message take the blues standard “Rock Me Mama” and jazz it up with a swingin’, jumpin’ beat and Burns’ (apparently) improvised lyrics. The singer also plays some bluesy guitar on this rockin’ number.
There is a Burns original included, “Use To Be” that he penned in 1966. His plaintive vocals beg his lover to “stay, stay, stay” as Jimmy scats and Typhanie joins in with her improvisation as well.
“Give Her to Me,” penned by Charles Colbert (who was in Chaka Khan’s band), opens with an emotive organ solo that sets the tone for this cautionary tale of a dude who wants to put his good gal down, while Jimmy sings he will gladly scoop up this underappreciated woman. This is soul music at its best!
Congrats to Jimmy Burns, Chris Foreman, the Soul Message Band, their special guests and the folks at Delmark Records for combining their considerable talents to create such a rich treasure trove of highly listenable, pleasing, swinging and soulful music that you won’t want to miss. If you want to know what Chicago’s best blues and jazz players sound like -- without taking a trip to Buddy Guy’s Legends (where Burns hosts the Wednesday night blues jam) or heading to Uptown’s historic jazz joint, The Green Mill, where Foreman holds court – then give a listen to Full Circle.
For info or to buy the music:
About the Author: Linda Cain is the Managing Editor of Chicago Blues Guide.
