Review of Jose James' Blackmagic

You know, were constantly assured by record companies that Lemar, Duffy, Leona Lewis and the like are possessed of truly soulful, powerful sensuous voices. Such hyperboles are cast that one might believe there was a Roman orgy in the production booth between song takes. Really though, the majority of modern soul singers they're about as sensuous and sterile as getting felt up in the dentist chair. However, in steps Jose James, hot on the heels of a critically acclaimed 2007 debut, with his new album Blackmagic; a quick glance at the cover confirms that he's cooler than me and a quick listen to the music confirms that this is consistently excellent nu-soul segueing old school jazz in with more current east and west coast hip hop (albeit rather sedate hip-hop).

Lay you down typifies the smooth production where soulful trumpet samples and drumloops are seamlessly integrated, leaving this correspondent wondering why they didn't just use real ones, Detroit Loveletter also shows a deftness of touch and musical phrasing not usually found in modern R+B, where 60s soul samples are lifted merely to rap over. Whilst many songs on Blackmagic do use 'phat' bass and the boom-boom clap drum rhythm often used by hip-hop dimwits like 50cent (as they anachronistically mutter about gun crime and misogyny) here, Jose's baritone voice clearly underpins everything, always managing to keep the listener on board even when the old school jazz aficionado might crave more instrumental fireworks.

Yes, although this is jazz and although the playing and the sampling is uniformly excellent, there are few protracted solos or instrumental workouts as might otherwise be expected for an album that covers John Coltrane... though perhaps an air of hushed reverence really ties Jose from competing on that level with people he clearly adores, preferring instead to let his silky smooth vocals lend the songs his own unique sense of style and flavour.

Well, I don't know if there are still people who use Barry White as seduction music but give this a try, you'll be well in, unless you're trollish and shes sober.