The seeming irony of this Los Angeles area septet’s name is just the beginning of the intriguing complexities and oxymoron that describe Cowboy Soul and its music. While L.A. artists like Arthur Lee and Love and Fishbone have carried the flag for black musicians playing rock-based music, Cowboy Soul stakes its claim to a unique blend soul, country, and pop influences. With a few tunes that could easily double as Chevy truck adds (“We Love Country Music” and “Finding My Way”) a distinct Motown groove is present in “The Weight” a funky ride with horn-like synth lines along with a chorus that would make Phil Spector blush. But it’s “Feel Something” with its straight ahead country-rock back beat and back-road gritty guitar work that work up enough steam and sweat to solidify Cowboy Soul as a legitimate player on today’s music scene.