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"EXTRAORDINARY SOUL VOICE" (LA TIMES) JAMES HUNTER RETURNS JUNE 10 WITH 'THE HARD WAY,' HIS DEBUT FOR HEAR MUSIC
ALLEN TOUSSAINT JOINS HUNTER ON NEW ALBUM, NOW SOLD IN STARBUCKS STORES NATIONWIDE
The indeed very extraordinary and very British James Hunter, who possesses a "tight, slithery soul groove" and a "sweet growl" (NY Times), made his Hear Music label debut on June 10th, 2008 with the release of THE HARD WAY. This new collection finds Hunter delving even further into the limitless realm of deepest soul with another expertly crafted set of all-original material. In their second collaboration together, THE HARD WAY was produced by Liam Watson (also producer of The White Stripes ELEPHANT) at famed analogue haven Toe Rag Studios in London.
The instrumental palette is exquisite, and the arrangements sharpened for THE HARD WAY. New Orleans National Living Treasure (and R&B Maestro) Allen Toussaint joins Hunter on the rhumba "Believe Me Baby," and also the title track. Gorgeous Echo Strings buoy opener "The Hard Way" as well as the dreamy "Carina" with accompanying pedal steel. The jumping "Don't Do Me No Favours" is a solid design for the dance floor. The album resolves with the delightful, romantic ballad "Strange But True," the first Hunter recording stripped down to just bare vocals and guitar. This collection showcases further evidence of Hunter's amazing guitar prowess, his manic solos recalling the fretwork of Ike Turner.
James and his very merry and equally talented band have extensively road-tested the new album while criss-crossing North America and Europe after his 2006 GRAMMY-nominated album PEOPLE GONNA TALK put him on the World map. That album took him from being "One of the best voices, and best kept secrets, in British R&B and Soul," as Van Morrison puts it, to a proving major breakout success in 2006 and throughout 2007. James has toured and opened for Van Morrison, Etta James, Boz Scaggs, Los Lonely Boys, Robert Cray, Bryan Adams, Los Lobos, Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy, and even the Queen of Soul herself, Miss Aretha Franklin. PEOPLE GONNA TALK also reached Number 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart; and Hunter has enjoyed both National and International TV appearances. PEOPLE GONNA TALK not only earned Mr. Hunter critical acclaim, but also garnered a huge, adoring, and ever-growing fan-base. Rolling Stone exudes James Hunter is "A treat not to miss" and recently quoted: THE HARD WAY as “Unbelievably awesome!" And, no surprise to us here, the new CD has in just two weeks since released, already zoomed to the very top--Number One--of the Rolling Stone Blues Chart and has remained there four weeks in a row and counting! USA Today raves about James's "Sublime soul." The praise continues to roll in as if a juggernaut of love. But you be the judge ...
THE HARD WAY is now carried in Starbucks stores nationwide, also available in traditional music retailers, and digital download stores. Please enjoy three preview tracks here ... Oh, and pass the word!
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