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Rating: Excellent |
Gregory Porter's sophomore effort confirms the talent so evident on his debut. He has developed greater technique and subtlety in his impressive vocals. The '70s soul is still clearly present in his voice, with nuances of Donny Hathaway and Bill Withers, but he is also the vocal heir of Nat King Cole. He is becoming a major talent, not only as a singer but also as a composer, with a unique, elliptical style, both melodic and lyrical, that shines through when compared to the covers here.
Porter is also very aware of dynamics, transitioning smoothly from the softness of "Imitation of Life" to the near-atonality of the raw "Bling Bling," which also features some excellent scat singing. His own material isn't immediately memorable, but it settles into the mind after a few listens, refined and often beautiful. He keeps his soul/blues credentials alive with a version of "Work Song" that allows him to go full throttle against a blaring saxophone.
The track closes with an a cappella version of "God Bless the Child," a song forever associated with Billie Holiday. It's a bold move that works because it reveals the tenderness in his voice, with an almost fluid quality to the singing, the emotions hinted at rather than outlined. It's a stunning highlight of an album that will surely further elevate Porter's star.
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= Track List =
