You might remember the Staples Jr. Singers, the family band from Aberdeen, Mississippi, from their seminal 1975 album When Do We Get Paid, reissued by Luaka Bop in 2022. Back then, they were just teenagers, crafting soulful melodies that resonated deeply with anyone who listened.

The six siblings including Edward, R.C. Brown, and Annie Brown (now Annie Caldwell), grew up in Mississippi, where they would pile into their family van and travel across the South, sometimes performing as many as three shows in a single day. During that time, the South was desegregated on paper but not always in practice. The Staples Jr. Singers were influenced by the realities they witnessed - the backlash after desegregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and they wrote music with messages of community and social justice. "All the songs we were singing about," said lead singer Edward Brown, "we were going through it."

Now, nearly five decades later, they've returned with Searching, a tribute to their enduring legacy and undiminished talent. The songs echo the themes of their youth - hope, struggle, and faith - while showcasing their growth as artists. The album was recorded in a single-room church called the Message Center in West Point, Mississippi, in October 2023. Three generations of the Brown family played songs that Edward, Annie, and R.C. have been singing together for most of their lives.

Searching brings together the raw, heartfelt spirit of their early work with a contemporary twist. Producer Sinkane adds a modern sheen without sacrificing the soulful authenticity that defines the Staples Jr. Singers' sound. The result is a collection of tracks that feel both ageless and refreshingly new.

The sessions were filled with a sense of purpose and nostalgia as the Brown family revisited their early influences and embraced new ones. The recording process blended reverence for the past with excitement for the future, capturing the essence of their unique musical journey The Searching package includes a special booklet of photos by Adam Wissing and notes by Anton Spice, offering fans a deeper dive into the band's history and the making of the album. This visual and literary accompaniment provides a richer context for the music, highlighting the Staples Jr. Singers' story and the significance of their comeback. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, Searching offers a bridge between past and present, bringing the soulful sounds of the Staples Jr. Singers to a new generation. It's a rare and beautiful example of a band reconnecting with their legacy and forging a new path forward.