The vocals are strongest when Chuck Prophet's distinctive voice is complemented by the harmonies of his wife Stephanie Finch, who is joining him on tour throughout the summer. He is touring with the Mission Express band, which in addition to Stephanie on vocals and Vox organ, features Kevin White on bass guitar, Todd Roper on drums and vocals and James Deprado on guitar. The live show promises strong melodies and solid rock guitar. You can sample the raw energy of several songs from Soap and Water in a live concert recorded for NPR.

Who is this man who can write and produce lush pop and follow it up with guitar-hero energy onstage? Soap and Water is a professional recording from an industry veteran. Chuck Prophet has been recording for over 25 years, starting in the early 1980s with Green on Red in San Francisco. He produced Translated from Love for Kelly Willis; toured with Lucinda Williams; co-wrote the songs on Alejandro Escovedo's latest album, Real Animal. His following is strongest in his native California, but he has a solid nationwide fan base.

This year, July and August take the band on tour through the Western US: Washington State, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho and Montana. Updates and songs are available on the band's MySpace page. 

Two summer roadtrips later, we're still listening to Soap and Water and starting to listen to his earlier releases, No Other Love (2002) and Age of Miracles (2004). Chuck Prophet's albums are like a tasty cake: lush pop production frosting, layers of blues and rock, flavored with soul and jazz. The result is a complex confection that you can enjoy again and again.