After 15 years cutting his teeth in the music scene of Te Whanganui-a-Tara as both a sideman (eg. for Ria Hall) and frontman, keys player Louis Thompson-Munn, aka Louis T.M., has delivered a debut album titled ‘Shelter For A Broken Soul’.

Recorded and mixed at Surgery Studios by Lee Prebble, ‘Shelter For A Broken Soul’ features various keyboard backdrops to mellow brass, piercing guitar solos, and a boxy, slightly overdriven vocal that penetrates the heart. Not only does the album sound spectacular, it’s a class in songwriting from this jazz school graduate. Each piece of music has a distinctive element in the feel and timbre, making it stand out in what is really, faithfully, a soul album.

Louis gives us a strong taste for the record (released on his own Diver Records label) straight out of the gate with the soulful first single, I Thought I Was In Love, a spacious yet stanky groove with heavy hitting bass (Steve Moodie) behind female BVs (Lisa Tomlin, Miriam Alice, Rachel Mair)  and his own smooth jazz/soul vocals.

Hooks are introduced with confidence, but not overplayed. Within each song they come in, say what it is they have to say and leave it at that. Nothing feels unfinished yet the listeners’ ears are never left tired. While the calibre of musicians on the album could keep a bar full of music nerds entertained the whole night, every part played feels considered to serve the song only. From the modest yet fulfilling horn parts in the title track to the chordal and flowing piano solo in Carry On Re, Louis T.M. and band ooze passion and love for the music without compromising ego. 

Led by his keyboards and nuanced soul-jazz-RnB voice the album flows just as well, the exciting first four tracks perfectly countered with heart-wrenching harmonies and a relatable story of friendship in the first slow jam, Brother.

After that mid-album drop, the mood is picked up again softly and steadily with This Flame Ain’t the Same, a medium groove with memorably melancholy guitar lines. 

Talking to his extensive history as a support player for others, It’s My Turn plainly evinces this debut album’s intent and achievement.

With 10 tracks running over 38 minutes, the album, just like the songs, doesn’t say any more than it needs to, leaving an appetite to start it over again. ‘Shelter For a Broken Soul’ is a collection of easily-loved songs painted on a soul canvas. Louis T.M. is a master in drip-feeding emotions at the perfect pace.