Nick Waterhouse

INNOVATIVE LEISURE. CD/DL/LP Transportive Paul Butlercoproduced fifth album.

Recorded live in Memphis and Los Angeles in February 2020, the Californian singer/musician’s fifth album creates another musical world to slip inside. Indebted to the vintage sounds that make up his DJ box – ’60s girl groups, doo wop, birth of soul R&B, cool jazz – it’s colourful and imaginative while exerting a familiar pull. The opening track, Place Names, is one of the best songs he’s written; wistful lyrics about San Francisco, where he spent much of his time growing up, conjure bygone images while bass, drums, guitar build for violin and cello to come together in a euphoric rush, a little bit Spector, a little bit Meek. Other tracks feature backing vocals by the Sensational Barnes Brothers, the Memphis sanctified soul outfit, lending a gospel flavour, while still others feature a dynamic brass section conjuring noir-ish atmospherics.