Once again, Alice Russell delivers a complete album with stirring power-soul vocals and sharp production. Throwback horn blasts and deep bass grooves create a nice spacious pocket in which Ms. Russell is free to work her magic. The genius of the production is in its minimalist style. On ‘Let Us Be Loving,’ the slowly meandering kick and snare simply drop out for several bars, only to return with an emphatic thump and twang of the bass guitar. Alice Russell and her nine-piece band have no doubt mastered the soulful funk that so many Brits have failed at imitating. Pot of Gold is so crisp and well executed that the only criticism that can be given is that it has a distinct lack of experimental spirit. Oddly enough, the one exception is the opening track, a reggae flavored twist on Alice’s otherwise neo-soul style. But who said experimentalism is what makes good music? This chick’s vocals are so strong that they lift you unapologetically through 11 tracks of funk. The sound isn’t exactly fresh, but it’s comfortable and makes you feel good — like an old throw pillow that you just can’t bear to throw away. Maybe it works so well because there are catalogues full of blueprints for Alice and her band of merry men to follow. In any case, she’s struck gold with this one.

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