Search - Jamie Lidell :: Jim

Infectious and unashamedly summery.

Esthero | 04/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you haven't already made the acquaintance of left-field electronica label Warp's most unlikely artist, "Jim" is the ideal introduction to Jamie Lidell, a nerdy techno boffin who emerged from his chrysalis on breakthrough album "Multiply" as a consummate old-school soul showman, pulling off his musical throwback pastiche as effectively as Amy Winehouse.

Where Winehouse is bluesy and melodramatic, Lidell's music is more celebratory and infectious, though the gorgeous "Rope of Sand" touches on the sorrowful serenity of What's Going On-era Marvin Gaye.

Elsewhere, Lidell actually appears to be channelling Sam Cooke on "All I Wanna Do" and Al Green on "Green Light", while the electro-funk of "Figured Me Out" and pacey rhythm'n'blues workout "Hurricane" should get the crowd on their good foot.

"Jim" appears to be an honest approach from the accomplished musician, covering many everyday issues such as the confusion of emotions. And the record is a concise one, never detouring from a backbone made up from unabashed good feeling and trumpet-driven bluster.

Whether the subject matter is talking, listening, hurting or longing, the delivery - clipped and concrete - is there. For the majority of this album, his directional, well-paced verses serve him well.

The first thing to say about "Jim" is that it is unashamedly summery. Lidell's intentions are laid down in stone on "Another Day", brimming with sunshine bright pianos and an absurdly feelgood outline. Orchestral trumpets drive the cut along well. Most clarity is provided at the junctures where the performer truly unleashes himself, giving credence to that wonderfully grainy-but-polished set of lungs.

" Wait for Me" exudes a bandstand eccentricity hitting all the highest notes, "Out of My System" supplements xylophone spine shivers with an irresistible hook. Single "Little Bit of Feel Good" is archetypal Liddle, this time backed by gospel voices to deliver blissfully glorious melody.

Jamie's reputation among the cognoscenti has been as a maker of experimental electronic music. But God gave him a voice which seems to emanate from the southern states of the USA circa 1964 - a cross between Sam Cooke and Otis Redding.

Stylistically, this is where the music sits too, though with the kind of electronic twist you would expect of an artist with Lidell's pedigree

Throughout, the obvious comparisons to Stevie and Otis, Sam Cook and Al Green abound, a little something "Jim" can outlive.

Lidell has lit the touch paper, history will tell if he ignites the flames.

As said above, it's a genuine updating of the brassy, sassy, occasionally gospel-tinged soul music of the Stax era, along with a sprinkling of Stevie Wonder, the odd excursions into Jamiroquai-like funk territory with "Figured Me Out" and a nod towards Sly Stone/Al Green in "Green Light".

It's clever musically, but it wouldn't work without the compelling quality of that voice, which would be enough just of itself to make us sit up and take notice of Jamie Lidell.

Back to Black

Multiply

Muddlin Gear"

Electronica with a retro Soul vibe. A true gem.

starschaser | Boston, MA | 05/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Born in Cambridgeshire rather than the Deep South, Jamie Lidell nevertheless has a remarkable soul voice, reminiscent of Otis Redding's. He began his career on the underground techno scene but, way before Duffy, Adele or Amy Winehouse, he was emulating the sounds of Stax and Motown.

His latest album is his best yet, buzzing with a sunshine funk that Stevie Wonder would be proud of (notably on the ebullient single, "Little Bit of Feel Good").

"Wait for Me", with its boogie-woogie piano and gospel vocals, is typical, lending a 40-year-old songwriting template a sheen of sassy modernity.

Like a New Age Stevie Winwood, Jamie has his own joyful road to the elixir of Stevie Wonder-sourced synthesised soul. The first taster from his forthcoming eagerly anticipated second single, "Little Bit Of Feeling Good" is as slinky, suave and downright superb as homegrown UK dance gets.

Jamie's vocal charm presents riches aplenty - elastic pitch, melodic purring, peachy phrasing - and the minimal funk backdrop, sashaying horns and rainbow-coloured back-up harmonies make this a true gem.

Signed to the hip electronica label Warp, and counting Feist and Gonzales (who plays piano here) among his pals, the Berlin-based Lidell would be expected to produce something pretty cool on his third album. But where its predecessor fused laptop beats with retro styling, Jim is an all-out stomping soul album. In its favour, the tunes are tight, and Lidell has a great soul voice.

It retains a keen sense of nostalgia, a sharp sense of style and mixes influences to generally pleasing effect. By the singer's own admission, it's a promiscuously diverse collection that mixes up gospel grooves, sweetly sung soul, delicate balladry, thumping early R&B, synthed up disco and even a little 'hillbilly funk'.

My picks: "Out Of My System", "All I Wanna Do", "Little Bit Of Feel Good, "Where D'You Go" and "Rope Of Sand".



Solo Piano

The Reminder

Back to Black

19

Rockferry

Nine Lives

"

Time Warped British Blue Eyed Soul

R. Kyle | USA | 05/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a whole lot more than "A Little Bit of Feel Good," which is not only getting a lot of radio-play, but also appeared on both "NCIS" and "Grey's Anatomy" in the past few weeks. Though Jamie Lidell's a British bloke, he's got a voice straight out of the 1960's South. He's been likened to everyone from Marvin Gaye to Sam Cooke. My understanding is Lidell came from techno, but I have no experience with his previous music--but you better believe I'm going to check it out!



Standouts for me: "A Little Bit of Feel Good" which will get you up on your feet with it's uptempo beat and gospel groove. "All I wanna do" a bluesy ballad. "Green Light" which adds a techno groove over what could have been an Al Green song.



Rebecca Kyle, May 2008"