With too much "rhythm" and not enough "blues," contemporary R&B circa 2004 has become overly slick, commercial, and almost emotionless, no matter how hard the vocalist is expressing his love jones. Which is why Van Hunt's debut is so refreshing. Although the Atlanta-based auteur (he wrote or co-wrote all the songs and plays nearly every instrument) clearly has an early-'70s fixation, his heady mix of Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, and Prince makes for a thrilling and often mo...   [ read more ]

CD $12.33

Van Hunt's first album peaked at the bottom of the Top 40 R&B Albums chart. Anyone who heard it and liked it couldn't help but be surprised that it didn't create a bigger ripple, particularly since it wasn't hard to imagine hearing the likes of "Dust" or "Down Here in Hell (With You)" on regular daytime rotation across the country. But the album sort of tanked, despite its unmistakable strengths and positive reviews. Hunt must have been somewhat frustrated while watching similarly organic an...   [ read more ]

CD $18.03

When he's not trying to be Roy Orbison (as he did on 1990's RVS 3), it's easy to see that Van Shelton's a fine singer. And this is a fine record -- so fine it's tempting to hunt for signs of listener manipulation. But Van Shelton balances the self-pity of songs like "After the Lights Go Out" with the uptempo punch of stuff like "Call Me Up." So even though Van Shelton recycles "Rockin' Years," the duet from Dolly Parton's Eagle When She Flies, just call it good taste, sit back, and ...   [ read more ]

CD $6.64