Signed by Gilles 'gold digger' Peterson for his Brownswood label, the highly gifted young singer recorded his first album The Dreamer in January 08. His voice and style of singing appear to come from a time long gone; he proceeds with the tradition in which Jazz legends such as Gil Scott-Heron and Al Jarreau used to perform their songs. The video above shows his track Park Bench People from said album, a remake of Freestyle Fellowship's homonymous tune from 1993. This song highlights all of James' different facets: there is Soul, there's Jazz, there's Blues and R'n'B and Hip-Hop, a truly felicitous blend.
2008 was a good year. For Music.Not only were we pampered by Q-tip's Renaissance and Common's Universal Mind Control (which, unfortunately, turned out to be a bit too pop in some parts) hip-hop-wise, by Benga's brilliant Dubstep performance on Diary of an Afro Warrior and Andy Stott's Dubtechno exercise Unknown Exception, we also had Erykah Badu explain her New Amerykah, while Flying Lotus gave props to his hometown Los Angeles. Four Tet rang the bells on Ringer before Butch came along with his Papillon, and Jamie Lidell introduced us to Jim. But the biggest surprise happened to be Portishead, who brought us their Third album as if nothing had happened in the last 11 years. Actions speak louder than words.
