We’ve been a bit slack on the album reviews recently, so here’s four to have a skim over!

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Brittany Howard – Jaime

Lead vocalist of retro-rock outfit Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard has unveiled her debut solo album Jaime – named after her sister who tragically died of cancer at age 13. With the exception of the politically charged, funk-rocker ‘History Repeats’ and the busy jam ’13th Century Metal’, Howard rarely rocks out on Jaime and opts largely for a broodingly experimental effort fusing rock, gospel, contemporary R&B, and folk with electronic flourish. Her gritty roar – often invoking reductionist comparisons to Janis Joplin – is only heard fleetingly. On Jaime, she delivers her songs with breathy intimacy. While some of the record gets lost in psychedelic fuzz, there are several standout cuts. On ‘He Loves Me’, Howard states God’s unconditional love despite her ‘smoking blunts‘ and ‘drinking too much.’ Against a contemporary R&B beat, on ‘Goat Head’ she sings of the discrimination her parents faced as an interracial couple and her dawning realisation as a child of the realities of racism. ‘Georgia’ begins as a simple ode to another woman, before Lloyd Buchanan’s organ signals a stirring transition into a heady climax.

Brandon Williams – The Love Factor

Well respected within soul, Brandon Williams has cut his teeth producing the likes of Anita Baker and Janet Jackson, as well touring and performing with Robert Glasper and George Duke. On his latest effort The Love Factor, Williams says: ‘I put more of myself into this album but in a different way. More energy, thought, care, love… creativity. My creative side has been sharpened and that’s reflected here…This album is more expressive in love because I’ve learned how to love me better.’ Across The Love Factor Williams creates a jazz-inflected groove, recruiting a roster of strong vocalists to glide over the delicately produced arrangements. Philadelphia-based vocalist Lee Mo twists her smooth instrument around ‘Let It Go’, while indie soul star Eric Roberson punctuates the groove of ‘Don’t Give Up On Love’. A romantic, sensual mood runs throughout the album.

Ascendant – Illuminate: Green

Led by keyboardist, songwriter and producer Kael Mboya, Ascendant are a Chicago-based soul ensemble. They are currently working on a four-part concept album titled Illuminate, with each component honing in on an aspect of the human experience. A few years ago they released Illuminate: Blue (wisdom) and are now unveiling Illuminate: Green, focused on the theme of ‘rebirth’. Mboya explains: “The band went through changes while we were working on the album. We started with one set of members. That original set broke up and we began another one — but then that set broke up, and we picked up another set. Life imitates art (and art) imitates life. We began to live what we were writing, and in the process of living it, that shaped what we were writing again.” The six tracks featured on Green showcase the band’s musicianship. There is gorgeous vocal blend on opening track ‘Promise’, while ‘More’ shines for its staccato horn work. First single ‘Gotta Get Up’ has delicious touches of disco funk (think Chic and Shalamar).

David Porter – The Classics

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, David Porter is best known for his tenure at Stax Records alongside writing partner Isaac Hayes. Together, the duo wrote and produced hits for Carla Thomas, William Bell, and Sam & Dave. On The Classics, Porter explains the history behind a selection of his hit songs, interspersed with (to be honest, unremarkable) instrumental re-recordings. The obvious attraction of this piece is Porter’s commentary. There is a particularly amusing anecdote about Hayes impatiently hassling Porter during the latter’s trip to the bathroom, thus spawning the title of Sam & Dave’s huge hit ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’.

Image copyright
Sony Music Entertainment – Jaime
Soulasis Music Group – The Love Factor
Ascendant – Illuminate: Green
Made in Memphis Entertainment – The Classics