The Bravest Man In The Universe

XL 2012, £5

You say: “The underrated final album” Jon Packer, via Twitter

Womack had lost confidence in the early 2000s but by 2010 he was back, working with Damon Albarn and Gorillaz on that year’s Plastic Beach, singing on first single, Stylo. XL label’s Richard Russell offered BW a deal for what would be his last album, and gave cowriting and co-production help along with Albarn, setting the soul man at ease amid electronic beats and synths.

Bravest Man goes back to Womack’s start. Not as overtly gospel as the brothers’ group, yet much of the material here is as spiritual as can be – the traditional Deep River and Jubilee (Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around) – while Stupid rips into TV preachers. A fine valediction.