James Hunter

Chris Farlowe and Van Morrison are in a class by themselves when it comes to British soul, but James Hunter seems to be scratching at the door. Hunter sounds a bit like Sam Cooke on the tender “Mollena,” the reggae-tinged and soothing “People Gonna Talk” and the slightly funkier and rowdier “No Smoke Without Fire.” And for the next dozen songs, Hunter ambles through with an ease and precision that is hard to resist. If “You Can’t Win” doesn’t get your Motown mojo going than the swinging, jazzy “Riot In My Heart” will. Whereas artists like Jamie Cullum try to do justice to this era, Hunter is the real deal, driven home with "Watch &Chain” and the bluesy, soulful “Kick It Around.” The lone clunker is “It’s Easy To Say,” which is a bit too schmaltzy, Dean Martin-esque. But fortunately “Talking ‘Bout My Love” revs things up again. A great new talent oozing soul from the past.

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