SF Weekly Music Awards Nominee: Lord Loves A Working Man

"Lord loves a working man" is advice given to Navin Johnson from his family in Steve Martin's classic, The Jerk. But SF's own Lord Loves A Working Man feels more like "Cool Jerk." With a sound slathered with raw soul reminiscent of the early Stax Records era, it's a wonder that the 9-piece band hails from the Mission District instead of the Mason-Dixon line.

Their 2005 self-titled release is a throwback to traditional rhythm and blues, long before it was ruined by Auto-Tune. Sporting a mean rhythm section accompanied by smooth horns and both female and male vocalists, Lord Loves A Working Man can get the hips swaying as easily as fellow revivalists Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and shares the old-school aesthetic of funk/soul aficionados as Miles Tackett and Stones Throw DJ's Egon and Peanut Butter Wolf. Their live performances match if not exceed their studio grooves, and provide a perfect night to slip on some boogie shoes.

The gritty, lowdown soul of Lord Loves A Working Man puts them amongst this year's SF Weekly Music Awards nominees. Show your support and cast a vote. --Oscar Pascual