Arriving out of the Minnesota music scene, Dilly Dally Alley burst onto the world stage with their 2023 album Make You Whole. The 9 track, 45-minute CD is an excellent showcase for the music, lyrics, vocals, cello and guitar skills of the multi-talented songstress Sophia Spiegel. Backed up by a tight band, Ms. Spiegel makes all the right musical moves on an album that is as wide-ranging as it is intriguing. A number of players join in on various instruments including, at times, what sounds like a full horn section.

The ability of the musicians Ms. Spiegel has chosen to provide backing on her marvelous tunes speaks volumes about the high musical art that makes up the essence of Make You Whole. The musicians supporting her guitar, songs and vocals include Will Kjeer (keyboards), Maxwell Voda (bass, violin), Kevin Yetter (drums), Ivan Cunningham (alto sax) and Mitch Van Laar (trumpet). Mixing elements of jazz, pop and rock, further described on their Bandcamp page as ‘neo-soul’ and ‘indie-funk’, Make You Whole demonstrates a striking maturity of sound that belies a band that has just released its first album.

Listening to Make You Whole from a jazz and fusion perspective, several sound comparisons can be made to Chick Corea’s mid-1970s lineup of Return To Forever with Gayle Moran on vocals and somewhat, to the underrated, now defunct California-based band Blue Shift, although Dilly Dally Alley are clearly geared more towards jazzy, soulful pop-rock minus a prevalence of blistering guitar solos. At times, Ms. Spiegel also cuts loose on her electric guitar, although it's mostly done in support the songs. With an ear towards the future, there’s also an interesting element of growing, progressive rock on hand that should give Dilly Dally Alley an even wider appeal.

The CD is the way to go as it has eye-popping album artwork adorned with all of the song lyrics. With the album highlighting the tasteful studio co-production of Ms. Spiegel and Adam Tucker, Make You Whole sets the stage for further musical greatness from Dilly Dally Alley.