James Hunter's follow-up to 2008's superb The Hard Way finds Daptone genius Gabe Roth (aka Bosco Mann) producing instead of Liam Watson, one analogue expert replacing another.
Roth fits Hunter like a glove, bringing out the warmth of his brass section and framing his raw voice in perfectly judged R&B arrangements that spark and bounce. On “Minute by Minute”, the organ and fluttering guitar ride a dark groove; “Let the Monkey Ride” brings in scudding reggae-soul moves, while “Look Out” adds Latin touches. Best of all is “Chicken Switch”, where the brass and slick guitar carry Hunter's cautionary advice: “When in doubt, take the coward's way out, hit the chicken switch.” Wise words, well presented.
Download: Chicken Switch; Minute by Minute; Let the Monkey Ride; Look Out
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies