Kelly Finnigan's Forgotten Gems

Kelly Finnigan is the frontman of the American soul band Monophonics. In addition, the singer/keyboardist maintains an active solo career. Finnigan breathes soul in everything he does: his compositions, the Hammond playing, his exciting live shows, the production work and his voice laced with emotion. Because the man is very prolific, quite a few 7" inch vinyl singles have been released over the years on which different jewels can be found on both side of the record. Hence the excellent initiative of Terry Cole of Colemine Records to release the album B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems now. It gives a wonderful overview of Kelly Finnigan's work that spans over 15 years.

“It's nice to reintroduce material that really was the beginning of my relationship with Terry and Colemine,” says Finnigan. “And so, it made perfect sense to look at a B-side by my group called Destruments and a song called ‘Freedom’… There's so much focus on the early work of Monophonics that Destruments gets overshadowed and forgotten about, so I'm happy to reintroduce it.” With its wide-open experimentation and tight-but-loose feel, “Freedom” plants the flag for psychedelic soul while serving as an early vocal for Finnigan. The power and soulfulness are finding their way to hold court within the mix.

We asked Finnigan how his song writing, singing and recording practices have been evolving.

"I would say my songwriting has evolved the most in the last 15 years. Probably because I now recognize when ideas are coming or inspiration is hitting and I know how to manage that. I definitely feel more comfortable and confident as a singer as I was brand new to it 16 years ago, so that has evolved as well. My recording process is pretty similar, I just own better gear now, which is always a helpful."

A single co-written by Finnigan, “She Won’t Be Gone Long,” was cut by the Sentiments and predated the low-rider soul, sweet harmony sound. Replete with a luxuriant string and horn arrangement, this falsetto throwback has been a crate diggers' favorite and sampled numerous times since the 45’s (now out of print) 2018 drop. 

“Thom’s Hartbreak” is Finnigan’s nod to the Delphonics and acclaimed producer Thom Bell—key figures in the Philly soul sound. A Sunday morning wrapped in gauze and horns, the instrumental (featured both on Finnigan’s now out-of-print mixtape and 2024’s “Leave You Alone” single) feels endemic to this collection; at once a song that is both intimate and familiar while being content to dress the set in the background, content on being discovered like a true B-side jam.

Songs like “Trouble” and “Keep Me In Mind” are unshackled from the 45, given room to move and breathe, extending the groove beyond the physical limits of a single. “Keep Me in Mind” originally from Samson & Delilah, on this album a duet with Renaldo Domino is also a nod to the classic B-side playbook, the cover song. We asked Finnigan how that song came about:

"I heard the record at a party and loved it and was inspired to cover it. After some time I thought Renaldo would be perfect for it as I’m a fan of his records and voice. It was a pleasure to work with him and I couldn’t be happier with the finished product! "

Deep cuts like this track, along with “It’s Not That Easy” (Reuben Bell with The Cassenovas) and “It Hurts Me So Much” (Barbara & the Browns) strengthen that connective tissue between inspiration and elevation.

Conversely, the collection’s closing track, “The Hurting Truth,” features another longtime Colemine comrade, Jimmy James (Parlor Greens). This previously unreleased track serves as a fitting close to this collection. It was recorded in Kelly’s new studio in Cincinnatti Ohio.

The new vinyl album is available in The New Funky Vinyl as well as several Monophonics albums. Tracks of the album are listed in The New Funky Spotify lists.