The Kinsey Report is back in the groove. Indiana’s first family of the Blues, forged in the “Steel City,” also known as Gary, has returned to the studio after a 14 year hiatus to record Standing (I’ll Be), a four song EP of contemporary and traditional blues, gospel and funk and it rocks! The Kinsey brothers, vocalist/guitarist Donald, drummer/vocalist Ralph, and bassist/vocalist Kenneth, enjoyed enormous success throughout the 80s and 90s recording, and touring first with their late father, Lester “Big Daddy” Kinsey, as Big Daddy Kinsey and the Kinsey Report, and then on their own. The Kinseys arrived on the blues scene in 1985 with a winning formula, joining forces with their father to create a signature sound that mixed the traditional with the contemporary. Big Daddy’s rich baritone vocals, slide guitar and harmonica playing reflected his Mississippi Delta roots, while the younger Kinseys added reggae, rock, gospel and soul to the mix. Driven by Donald’s soulful vocals and impassioned guitar playing, and the tight, in-sync rhythm section of Ralph and Kenneth, the Kinsey Report created a singular sound that caught the attention of blues fans worldwide. The 4 tunes on Standing (I’ll Be) bring the Kinseys firmly into the present. “Standing (I’ll Be)” the EP’s title track, is an original tune written by the brothers about triumph over adversity. For Donald, it is a song about “overcoming difficult obstacles with faith and the determination to move forward.” For Ralph, it is a song of victory. For the listener, it is an uptempo groove, a cautionary tale about succumbing to everyday temptation. “That’s It,” is a funky blues-rocker about a mean, mistreating woman, that the Kinseys have had percolating in the catalog since their Smoke and Steel Days, (their last recording on Alligator Records). “Nobody’s Fault,” is a traditional gospel tune, featuring Ralph on vocals, and Donald on Dobro and slide guitar. The Kinsey’s grandfather, Lester Kinsey, Sr. was the pastor of Gary's Chase Street Church of God in Christ for many years. Ralph, who was deeply moved by his grandmother’s love of spirituals, was enthusiastic about recording this song. He was inspired by the Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe versions, and wanted to bring his interpretation to this classic gospel song. And then there is the track, “Boogie Diddlin’ an inspired instrumental that combines signature Bo Diddley and John Lee Hooker licks while also hearkening back to the brothers’ gospel roots, and to Big Daddy’s influence. The power chords on the bridge of the song come from gospel. As Donald explains, “Dad used to play the heavy bridge. That comes out of the sanctified church.” Standing (I’ll Be) is a welcome addition to the Kinsey Report’s rich musical landscape. Released on the band’s new label, RDK, it is a powerful expression of redemption and renewed purpose. Words and music create a potent alchemist’s brew, as Donald sings on the title track, “Defeat is not an option/I’m standing on solid ground/I shall not be moved, till the Thrones come down.”