For those unaware, Georgia native Scott Colson, who goes by Slaw when recording and performing, is a soul man. His gritty vocals combine the smokiness of Otis Redding with the country twang of Darius Rucker, and he can belt out a rock tune with the raw energy of Elvis Presley and Robert Plant.

Hailing from Macon, Georgia — the birthplace of Southern rock — Colson grew up listening to the likes of early Elvis Presley and classic R&B, and those sounds settled deep in his heart.

The name Slaw comes from a playful evolution of his last name: “My friends started calling me by my last name, Colson. The ones who thought they were funny started saying Coleslaw. Then the lazier ones just shortened it to Slaw. And here we are—Prince, Sting, and now… Slaw. That’s how it happens.”

Throughout his twenties and thirties, he played with a number of blues and rock bands. Eventually, he put music aside to focus on creating a successful business that provides beach equipment gear to renters of vacation properties.

About a year and a half ago, he sold his business and started the process of making his debut album, the fittingly titled Here I Come.

1. Here I Come
2. Heavy Load
3. Baby Don’t Cry
4. Don’t Go Down That Road
5. When It’s Done
6. Trouble In Mind
7. If I Hadn’t Found You
8. Lay It All Down
9. Best Of Me
10. Can You Hear Me Call
11. Hang My Head And Cry

This dutifully heartfelt new recording opens on the impassioned Here I Come and an aching yearn that threads through Heavy Load and then we are brought forth the mid-tempo balladry of Baby Don’t Cry, the free wheeling foot-tapper Don’t Go Down That Road, before one of my own personal favorites, the lonesome ode When It’s Done is unveiled.

Along next is the playfully melodious Trouble In Mind and the earnestly-sculpted If I Hadn’t Found You, which are in turn backed by the rhythmically sculpted Lay It All Down, the gently emotive Best Of Me, the album rounding out on the pure balladry gossamer of the duet Can You Hear Me Call, closing on the all-embracing Hang My Head And Cry.

Slaw - If I Hadn’t Found You (Official Video)

Official Website