Workman is insanely talented: as a singer, a drummer, a writer and a producer. That's an interesting choice for Workman, who has a side career producing others, including very early records by Tegan and Sara, Serena Ryder and Hey Rosetta.īut for the prolific singer-songwriter's first record in an unusually dry four years, Workman turned to Lightburn for outside guidance. Lightburn is also behind the boards for the 14th studio album by Hawksley Workman. Producer Howard Bilerman (Basia Bulat, Arcade Fire) captures the mood with gentle grandeur Scott Walker's early records were likely an inspiration.Įven if you were never a fan of the Dears - in fact, especially if you were never a fan - Lightburn's latest definitely deserves a hearing. The light touch not only puts the depth and range of his voice into sharper focus, but also illustrates his lyrical eye, which can be wistful and wise or weird and wry. If the Dears were always about the grand gesture and bombast, Lightburn's solo work is decidedly low-key. Together they create a late-night, melancholy soul record that brings out the best in Lightburn's voice and his songwriting. On Murray Lightburn's second solo outing, the singer best known for his 20 years fronting Montreal rock band the Dears teamed up with jazz players, a string section, and some old friends. But in the pantheon of great late-career resuscitations in soul music, this is right up there with Grace Jones's "Hurricane" and Mavis Staples's "We'll Never Turn Back." This is only Chaka Khan's third album of original material in the last 25 years, and her first in the last 12.
The British producer known as Switch (M.I.A., Santigold, Major Lazer) puts most other neo-disco producers to shame here, including Daft Punk. The title track rides the same roller skate vibe as "Like Sugar," while "Like a Lady" is a modern take on Studio 54 and "Don't Cha Know" slips into the kind of slinky grooves at which Rufus excelled.Īnyone still thinking Amy Winehouse is irreplaceable is well advised to cue up "Too Hot." Meanwhile, the Sly and Robbie reggae groove of "Isn't That Enough" brings out a whole other side of Chaka Khan that could fill an entire record. That single has finally been followed up with a collection of seven songs that are more than a full meal.
On top of that, she dropped a single and video, "Like Sugar," that was a surefire summer jam of 2018 and one of the finest moments in her 45-year career. Last year, while the music world was mourning the monumental loss of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan's turn on stage at Franklin's funeral was a stunning reminder that all the greats of yesteryear haven't left us yet. Chaka Khan is a living legend, though the number of people is dwindling who recall her 1970s records with Rufus or her string of '80s hits.
0 kommentar(er)
