THE JAMES HuNTER SIx

Whatever It Takes 7/10

You know the backstory: once a backing vocalist for Van Morrison, long-serving James Hunter is the first Englishman signed to the USA’s premium retro soul label. This status is thoroughly, undeniably merited – Hunter’s voice is rich, dark, brackish, and his songs are a blend of old-school soul, bar-room R&B, and deftly clever lyrical phrasing. His second Daptone album swings like Sam Cooke, sways with rocksteady cool, and is as stylishly ’60s as a pair of fur-lined Chelsea boots. Among the highlights: the twist of exotica in the title track, the Georgie Fame jazz-kick of “Don’t Let Pride Take You For A Ride” and the sly, shuffling love letter “I Don’t Wanna Be Without You”.