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Review
As if you needed any more proof that this season's genre to pump up your profile is S.O.U.L, here come Warp - purveyors of all things edgy and electronic - with another slice of prime retro blue-eyed schmutter from a man formerly known as half of a techno duo. Admittedly the duo (Super Collider) did err on the side of Cameo-style funk, but Lidell's third solo offfering is about as straight a dip into the '60s stuff as you can get. Luckily for us he's very proficient at it too.
Jim bursts out of the box with Another day: a gospel flavour on his lips, testifyin' hand claps a-plenty and even some ambient birdsong to let you know that summer's on its way. Lidell's got talent to spare, and he obviously knows his soul forbears' work intimately. The barrelhouse piano fun of Wait For Me is pure Jackie Wilson, while The Green Light is a Memphis soul stew that tips its hat to, yes you guesssed it, Al Green. There's a fair old dollop of Sam Cooke here too. However if you're looking for a the person thaat Lidell's fine voice reminds one of most often, it's Terence Trent D'Arby. This may be a problem for those that are old enough to remember the ex-army soul chancer. But once you overcome this it's the stuff that falls slightly outside the predictable that you latch onto.
The slower, sultrier All I Wanna Do is a mesmerising mix of southern style and folk dynamics. In fact it's the slower numbers that win by a mile here. The closing Rope Of Sand is weirdly exquisite. Meanwhile Figured Me Out picks out all the best bits of Jamiriquai ie: It's squelchy and funked up.
Of course there's little new here but is it useless to point out that just because classic soul is now hip currency there were a whole bunch of blue-eyed shouters who did this seductive stuff much better before? Lewis Taylor anyone? And Jim's lyrics are hardly the kind to stick in the memory for more than two seconds after the album's over. But ultimately if you've had enough of the girls crowding the field, and you need a feel-good piece of plastic to either shake your booty to or romance your significant other, Jim's got it all. --Chris Jones
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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Jamie Lidell's 2005 album Multiply showcased his extraordinary voice together with music which combined old school soul and funk with more modern dance sounds. It was a Gonzalez remix of the title track with its simple piano accompaniment which showed the real strength: the voice. Jamie Lidell is a white guy from England who lives in Berlin and sounds like a combination of Stevie Wonder, Prince and Otis Redding. Marvellous.
New album Jim plays to these strengths opening with piano on the glorious Another Day before full backing comes in. Wait For Me bounces along with fantastic backing vocals and the soulful sound continues complete with handclapping chorus on Out Of My System. All I Wanna Do is a gorgeous, heartfelt ballad, Lidell's voice placed layer upon layer to build the backing. It's all about the voice rather than fussy production this time around. Which isn't to say that the dance influence isn't there; first single Little Bit Of Feelgood is a funky floorfiller and Figured Me Out has some crazy keyboards which reminded me of Doctor Fink (who played with Prince). There are even guitars to lead in the stomping Hurricane before things get a disco tinge on Green Light. It's Jamie and piano again on Where D'You Go? before the album finishes with the beautiful Rope of Sand, another stunning ballad with simple orchestration.
That's a very brief rundown. The production really focuses in on the voice and it's the kind of scrutiny that many singers would crumble under but on this personally titled album 'Jim' is revelling in his gift. The only way to know for sure how good he is, is to buy the album and enjoy.
New album Jim plays to these strengths opening with piano on the glorious Another Day before full backing comes in. Wait For Me bounces along with fantastic backing vocals and the soulful sound continues complete with handclapping chorus on Out Of My System. All I Wanna Do is a gorgeous, heartfelt ballad, Lidell's voice placed layer upon layer to build the backing. It's all about the voice rather than fussy production this time around. Which isn't to say that the dance influence isn't there; first single Little Bit Of Feelgood is a funky floorfiller and Figured Me Out has some crazy keyboards which reminded me of Doctor Fink (who played with Prince). There are even guitars to lead in the stomping Hurricane before things get a disco tinge on Green Light. It's Jamie and piano again on Where D'You Go? before the album finishes with the beautiful Rope of Sand, another stunning ballad with simple orchestration.
That's a very brief rundown. The production really focuses in on the voice and it's the kind of scrutiny that many singers would crumble under but on this personally titled album 'Jim' is revelling in his gift. The only way to know for sure how good he is, is to buy the album and enjoy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After his previous effort, Multiply, I struggled to see how Jamie Lidell could better himself. But having heard JIM, I've lost that bet with myself. JIM is ten tracks of classic soul and funk, shot through with a feel that's entirely now. I've seen the odd comparison to Steve Wonder in the press, something that I think will be cemented as fact after hearing this. 'Where D'You Go' is a blast of feelgood piano, 'Hurricane' sounds like Beck on a very good day and 'All I Wanna Do' manages to be laid back without wasting a single beat. Exceptional.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Jamie Lidell's released work has changed somewhat dramatically since I first encountered the electronic bleeps and scratches of his first full album, 'Muddlin Gear'.
His second, 'Multiply', really piqued my interest; here was a clearly accomplished vocalist and musician who had found his niche and a talent for creating endearing, innovative, foot-stompingly danceable music.
With 'Jim', his effortless soaring vocals hit every sweet note available while his astonishingly earthy tone, at its best, is spellbinding. At worst, his voice is a gentle...what am I saying? There is no worst.
Sliding between the impossibly funky with songs such as 'Out of my System', 'Little Bit of Feel Good' and 'Hurricane' and the pant-wettingly seductive in 'All I Wanna Do' and 'Green Light', 'Jim' is an absolute tour-de-force and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Lidell's voice is complemented by driving piano, delicate horns, subtle electronic touches and a fascinating story told with a sensitive lyric, and there is not a weak song in sight. Not since Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' have i given (very nearly) every song on an album a 5-star rating!
I have decided not to focus on the obvious comparisons with other, perhaps more well-known artists, as these have been mentioned aplenty in other reviews around the Web. Suffice to say that, try as my inner demon might, I cannot unfavourably compare the sound of 'Jim' with any soul music I have ever heard. Much has been made of his marriage of futuristic and retro sound, and with good reason, but all that I can say is that no comparisons need be drawn. Otis is smiling.
His second, 'Multiply', really piqued my interest; here was a clearly accomplished vocalist and musician who had found his niche and a talent for creating endearing, innovative, foot-stompingly danceable music.
With 'Jim', his effortless soaring vocals hit every sweet note available while his astonishingly earthy tone, at its best, is spellbinding. At worst, his voice is a gentle...what am I saying? There is no worst.
Sliding between the impossibly funky with songs such as 'Out of my System', 'Little Bit of Feel Good' and 'Hurricane' and the pant-wettingly seductive in 'All I Wanna Do' and 'Green Light', 'Jim' is an absolute tour-de-force and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Lidell's voice is complemented by driving piano, delicate horns, subtle electronic touches and a fascinating story told with a sensitive lyric, and there is not a weak song in sight. Not since Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' have i given (very nearly) every song on an album a 5-star rating!
I have decided not to focus on the obvious comparisons with other, perhaps more well-known artists, as these have been mentioned aplenty in other reviews around the Web. Suffice to say that, try as my inner demon might, I cannot unfavourably compare the sound of 'Jim' with any soul music I have ever heard. Much has been made of his marriage of futuristic and retro sound, and with good reason, but all that I can say is that no comparisons need be drawn. Otis is smiling.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
My brother bought this CD for me and I loved it straight away. My kids love it too. Went to see him in concert too and he was fantastic!!
Published on 15 Oct 2010 by moomin mamma
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel good music and lyrics
Hi I was introduced to this through my son and daughter both in their twenties. Lyrics and music take you along make you feel good. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2009 by Ann Maria
5.0 out of 5 stars
We've come a long way, baby
I first heard Jamie Lidell at a Warp Records Showcase a long time ago, about 8 years or so, and he was a standout that night. Read more
Published on 1 April 2009 by V. Grinstead
4.0 out of 5 stars
jamie lidell a good album but not his best
this is good if you like ur soul/funk etc but its not in the same leaugue as stevie wonder is it songs in the key of life or talking book etc but overall a few good songs his other... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2009 by Mr. S. L. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
I would die for THAT voice
He is THE voice of modern soul/funk. He has come along way from his drum'n'electro beginnings (which were fine) but he has grown as a singer and the production on 'Jim' is all... Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2008 by MC Zaptone
2.0 out of 5 stars
I'm Sorry Jim but...
Was really disappointed in this album! I've loved Jamie Lidell from the beginning and my heart sank when I put this on. Read more
Published on 5 July 2008 by Max
4.0 out of 5 stars
Compare and contrast
I love this guys voice and his songs BUT my first impression was that he was an awful lot like James Morrison, who in turn is a lot like Marvin, Bobby, Aretha, Prince, Ray... Read more
Published on 30 April 2008 by C. Whyatt
2.0 out of 5 stars
Really disappointing, what a let down....
Sorry but I couldn't disagree more with the reviews written so far with regard to `Jim` on the Amazon website. Read more
Published on 30 April 2008 by enoob
5.0 out of 5 stars
'Multiply'- Sunny Side Up!
There's no doubt, this guy deserves every success. He can do it all. Buy it! (Then buy 'Multiply' if you haven't already).
Published on 12 April 2008 by S. Moss
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