My old mum told me that the best things in life are worth waiting for and she’s yet to be proved wrong.

A couple of years back I stumbled into Dave Sharp as he toured the country with his one man show. It was a great night out with Sharp blasting through new and old tracks with the vigour of a teenager coupled with the musical dexterity of a seasoned professional.

After the gig I managed to collar Sharp for a quick chat and what really set the tastebuds going was his promise that he was in the process of putting together a new band.

Now witnessing Sharp solo is an experience I would recommend to any member of the gig going public, but Sharp with the full backing of a rock ‘n’ roll band behind him, now that was something to wait for with anticipation. So wait we did.

Over two years had passed since that conversation and to be honest I had kind of given up hope. But then one rainy afternoon in Leeds the phone rang.

It was Sharp. Not only had he got his band together but he had taken them down to his old North Wales stomping ground, got them up on stage in front of an appreciative audience and recorded the results. On top of that he had brokered a deal with Townsend Records and a copy of the debut release from The Soul Company would be winging its way across the Pennines that night.

Now anticipation is a great thing, it can set the butterflies to flight in your stomach and has the power to make you come over all peculiar, but it also has huge potential to disappoint.

Thankfully for fan’s of Sharp’s infectious blend of soul, blues and good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll there’s no sense of disappointment with Soul Co’s debut release, The Power of Soul.

Sharp has managed to bring together a sterling cast of performers that fit his undoubted musical style to perfection, and this live release goes a long way towards proving that this is a band that could certainly go places given the right support.

The ten track album opens with a studio cut of the title track, The Power of Soul, which does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a rousing opener with an infectious military-style singalong chorus coupled with Sharp’s unique guitar work and has the potential to become a firm favourite when the band hit the road.

After the studio opener we then switch to live mode for the remainder of the album. To be frank there’s no reduction in quality here, in fact the album just gets better as it captures the true spirit of Sharp and his cohort’s live performance, and let’s face it, if there’s anyone who can cut it live it’s Sharp – the guy was practically born on the road.

In The City follows and anyone hoping for a Jam cover will be disappointed – but not for long. This is a real inner city stomper that will have you up an out of your seat in a flash. It’s gritty and visceral and at the same time a gem of a track.

American Sky sees a change in pace but no reduction in intensity while Drive These Blues Away is a real album highlight with it’s tale of life’s struggles set to a superb guitar and drum backing that melts into the soul.

The addition of keyboardist Paul Burchill is a real inspiration as his deft touch adds real depth to the inspirational Back on The Right-Side, while on Sugarland he compliments Sharp’s minimalist guitar sound superbly.

Love Magic and Long Black Night are two fat slices of soul tinged rock ‘n’ roll while a live version of the opening track brings the album to a close. It’s been a 43 minute journey which has passed by in seconds, always the sign of a good album.

While Sharp will always keep his place in rock ‘n’ roll history thanks to his role in The Alarm, Soul Co deserve to be there in their own right on the strength of this debut release.