If you’re looking for a reason to put on your sharpest suit and walk down Kinnickinnic Ave. like you own the place, look no further than ‘Off The Fence’. James Hunter is so effortlessly cool he probably exhales rhythm and blues, and his voice is that right mix of sexy, velvety, gritty, and honeyed soul that sounds like it was preserved in a time capsule from 1962 just to make our modern ears happy. Whether he’s hitting a high note or delivering a line with his signature dry British wit, he makes you feel like you’ve been invited to the most exclusive, smoke-filled cocktail lounge in town.
Not to be outdone, James isn’t alone in this coolness; he’s backed by a band so tight they could probably calibrate an atomic clock. The James Hunter Six are absolute wizards of their craft, providing a “Memphis-flavoured” foundation that is equal parts sexy and sophisticated. The grumbling retort of the horns and the punchy Hammond organ create a sound that isn’t just retro… it’s fucking timeless. I mean…. this isn’t just a backing band; they are a singular, swinging machine that makes every track feel like an instant classic designed to make you wiggle.
Three songs in particular capture this cool-as-ice energy perfectly. “Two Birds One Stone” kicks things off with a jaunty, exotic rhythm that has you snapping your fingers before you even realize it. Then there’s “Ain’t That A Trip,” a bluesy, brass-fueled banger where James trades vocals with the legendary Van “The Man” Morrison in a soul-stirring duet. Finally, “Particular” slows the pace down to a smoky, cellar-club crawl, letting James’s croon take center stage. By the time the album wraps up, you’ll feel smoother, sharper, and… did I mention… indisputably cool.
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/jameshuntersix/
https://jameshuntersix.bandcamp.com/album/off-the-fence
https://www.jameshuntermusic.com/