Much of the music that has clearly impacted on James Hunter was released while he was still a young child. Born in Colchester in 1962, he didn't begin making records until the mid 1980s. Now returning with a new album, 'Minute By Minute' with his band The James Hunter Six on March 25th, it's still that period in time that he holds dear. While many groups from south-east England are in thrall to the beat groups and garage bands of that time, James Hunter has, on new single 'Chicken Switch', shown that his allegiances lie with Motown, Stax and Atlantic. This is pure vintage soul and if it came in a blank sleeve you'd swear it could be dated back to the 1960s.
The R&B flavour of early bands like The Coasters comes through, making this song feel like it was laid down just as those groups were finding the beat that would develop into northern soul. Hunter's voice is classic sounding, it's almost impossible to believe he's a white guy from Essex, and the music could be by a host of early soul bands and singers from Ben E King to Jackie Wilson to Sam & Dave. Grimmy won't be spinning this on the Radio 1 breakfast show, but as current vintage soul throwbacks go there are few out there who sound as authentic and passionate about recreating the sounds they love as this.
The James Hunter Six's website
Pre-order the album
For more news, reviews and downloads follow The Sound Of Confusion on Facebook or Twitter
contact@thesoundofconfusion.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment