Jamie Lidell gained some renown in the late ’90s as a producer of electronic music. In particular, Super_Collider — his project with Christian Vogel — achieved full-on cult status.
But in 2005, Lidell took a sharp left turn with Multiply, an album of pure blue-eyed soul and funk. (For the record, Lidell is a skinny white Brit.) There were still hints of his electronic past in the production, but for the most part it could have easily been released in the mid-’70s alongside, say, Curtis Mayfield albums.
This year brings the follow-up, Jim, and it is absolutely kick-ass in every way. Lidell has continued down the analog path, and brightened things up considerably with handclaps, a touch of gospel, and sharp, clear horns. I can’t think of an album in the last few years that has made me so instantly hummy and happy.
We’re finally seeing a little bit of sun up here in Seattle, so in that spirit, here’s a track called “Little Bit of Feel Good.” Truth in advertising indeed.
