English guy Jamie Lidell is certainly a name people will be familiar with in time to come judging by 'Multiply' on Warp Records. This album is certainly taking the best elements of soul, funk, rare groove and fusing it create a unique sound that is uplifting, positive and infectious. Jamie Lidell has been spellbinding people at his live shows having played at Sonar festival and Ether Festival last year and he recently played at The Faversham in Leeds. When listening to ‘Multiply’ you can certainly understand why it would sound good live.

The most striking aspect on this album is Lidell himself. He has a truly amazing voice that touches up there with the best male vocalists. He's like a modern day Sly Stone. His passion and energy comes across really well and its clear he has a lot of respect for great black artists. He even displays shades of Otis Reading in the track ‘Multiply’ which is truly remarkable for any singer. He shows a brooding angst in ‘The City’, soulful introspection in ‘Music Will Not Last’ and an ability to diversify his voice permitting the listener to be intrigued and impressed.

The music on this album is well put together and it pushes funk forward into our current time. There’s a mixture of high octane, progressive tracks like ‘When I Come Back Around’ and ‘The City’ to soulful ballads like ‘What Is It This Time’ and ‘Game For Fools’. There are elements of classic soul, jazz and more modern elements like breakbeat. The musicians are quality that show subtly when needed and energy for those bigger moments. There’s slap bass in parts, classy cool keys, infectious guitar licks and nice drums to create a great backing track for the makings of a legendary singer.

All in all this is a seductive album that is instantly likeable and has an uplifting nature. There are moments to get you dancing but it’s mainly an album to make you feel good. What’s clear is that Jamie Lidell is indeed a talent and something for Brits to feel proud of. Try catch him at a live show if you can, you’ll be impressed.

Tareck Ghoneim

Contactmusic

Follow Jamie Lidell