Jesper Lindell – Royal & 3614 Jackson Highway (2 Separate Albums)
This is Swedish artist Jesper Lindell’s latest 9-track album Royal (Yep Roc/Brunnsvik Sounds AB/Gamlestans Gramophone Company/29:34), released stateside June 26th & for the benefit of our European promoters, I’m including Jesper’s previous release, also with 9 tracks, 3614 Jackson Highway – which dropped earlier in the year (March 2026). And here’s the American link – both LPs were recorded in September 2024. “Royal” was recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, TN & the previous LP was captured at Muscle Shoals in Alabama. Both were produced by Björn Pettersson, Rasmus Fors, & Jesper Lindell. The formalities out of the way, let’s get into the music & focus on “Royal” first.
The vocals at first come on with a Ray Charles texture, & while it doesn’t sound like an imitation, it certainly has the groove down during the old 1969 Elvis song “Wearin’ That Loved-On Look.” It has the classic R&B mainstream soul associated with Charles. Jesper has a refined, irrepressible presence in his showcase, & his group of musicians adds the garnish to this banquet of sound.
There are moments where Jesper steps back from the Ray Charles tone & comes close to the late David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears in his intonation. Full-throated, deep & with sweetly soulful backup singers, it summons the vibe of “Sweet Tomorrow,” with its Muscle Shoals-type soul instead of Chicago. Purists may decline this effort, but what Jesper does with these songs is remind many just how cool, good & rhythmic that vintage soul music was when it percolated.
Lindell has a voice like West Virginia coal, & it saturates the music with his wise interpretations. The chart hit “The Letter” by both The Box Tops & Joe Cocker is reinterpreted from its pop & rock versions & remerges with Jesper’s soul & Muscle Shoals-type horns. Jesper manages to project his individualism through each tune because he doesn’t sound like anyone. He emulates a little & possesses the spirit that’s gratifying in how he breathes new life into old music.
The 1st album, 3614 Jackson Highway, was released in March. The music seems a little more aggressive but retains the soul embodiment. “If Love Was Money” has a more modern arrangement than the more retro-style songs of Royal. The emotional quotient seems a little higher here. “She Ain’t Gonna Do Right,” is not in the Ray Charles gear but has a flavor of James Brown crossed with Jackie Wilson & Joe Tex. That’s the impression I get as the music plays. This is jukebox gold. Arranged quite well. The superb “Respect Yourself” has a steamroller of an introduction, & Jesper uses intonation & phrasing closer to Stevie Winwood in his early days. Excellent vibe, a low-flame groove, & a fiery guitar — like garlic in the pasta.
While no one is Brook Benton, Jesper tries his best to maintain Benton’s baritone-heavy quality with the classic Tony Joe White song “Rainy Night In Georgia.” He doesn’t have that warmth & resonance that Benton had, but the song has merit. It’s quite difficult to capture classic songs sung by legendary artists. Alchemy is not easy to replicate.
The second Elvis cover, “I’ve Got a Thing About You, Baby,” doesn’t work in this context because it was never a soul song, & trying to redirect its recipe into that realm is like pouring molasses over cherries jubilee. However, Jesper didn’t just get ahold of the spirit of soul music in Memphis & Alabama — he absorbed it like a sponge takes on water.
Karin Widmer illustrated both albums.
Highlights – “Royal” – “Wearin’ That Loved-On Look,” “King of the Cowboys,” “Sweet Tomorrow,” & “The Letter.”
3614 Jackson Highway” – “If Love Was Money,” “She Ain’t Gonna Do Right,” “Respect Yourself,” & “Rainy Night In Georgia.”
Musicians on Royal– Jesper (vocals/electric guitar), Frazey Ford (lead vocals on cut 8), Jimmy Reimers (electric & acoustic guitars), Lina Beach (electric guitar), Simon Wilhelmsson (drums), Anton Lindell (bass/electric sitar), Carl Michael Junior Lindvall (mandolin/grand piano/piano/Rhodes/bgv), Rasmus Fors (organ/piano/lap steel/electric guitar/horn arrangements), Magnus Olsson (percussion), Christer Falk (tenor & baritone sax), Kirk Smothers (baritone sax), Lannie McMillan (tenor sax), Toste Solum & Marc Franklin (trumpets), Markus Ahlberg & Kameron Whalum (trombones), Caspar Camitz, Michaela Holmberg, Elin Larsson, & Kajsa Hansson (bgv).
Color image courtesy of Jesper’s Bandcamp site. There’s an 8pp stitched insert with credits included. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://jesperlindell.com/ & https://www.hemifran.com/artist/Jesper%20Lindell/ & https://www.yeproc.com/