James Hunter Six
Hold On!
(Daptone)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
“Groovy baby,” used to be the quotable expression from Austin Powers; it’s one he would undoubtedly apply to this UK ensemble. Fronted by golden throated blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter James Hunter, the group’s fourth album is also their first for the Daptone label, a perfect home for the twin sax/Hammond B3 propelled, swinging, retro minded R&B that continues to be their calling card.
Hunter’s heady, intoxicating blend of finger-popping jazz, gritty R&B and energetic, Sam Cooke inspired singing remains unique in contemporary music. The vibe shifts from the Motown-ish rocking of “Stranded” to the Latin-mambo of “(Baby) Hold On” and “In the Dark”’s Bobby “Blue” Bland inspired bluesy ballad, a ringer for the singer’s “Ain’t Nothing You Can Do.” It’s a swizzle-stick stirring, rat pack loving combination ready to transport you back to a simpler time when men smoked Lucky Strikes and women swooned to the latest smooth tuxedo clad crooner.
Thankfully none of this mono-recorded set is delivered as a cut-rate, schlocky history lesson. Rather it feels entirely natural, as if Hunter and his band couldn’t play anything that didn’t sound like they were entertaining some smoke filled club in the mid-60s. The arrangements are crackling yet clutter-free, allowing Hunter’s sweet and salty vocals plenty of room to bump and grind while the horns toot away adding a subtle propulsive boost to a sound that’s already bubbling. The ten taut songs sashay by in just over a half hour ensuring nothing overstays its welcome and everyone leaves with a smile as goofy and frisky as Austin Powers looking for a shag.