This Is The Last…

Ok so I’ve been roomming under that rock with Jill (this means I don’t know what’s going on; thank me later). That woud be the reason I’ve never heard of Jamie Lidell, potentially the most amazing blue-eyed soul singer this side of Van Morrison?

Phillip (actual roommate) turned me onto Lidell’s music describing him as Amy Winehouse’s male counterpart. Strip Amy of breast, tattoo’s and cocaine, take her down an octave and you’ve got yourself one of the many homeless transvestites that haunt my neighborhood. However, if you keep going and take away the Aquanet and add beatbox skill you thought only existed on Harlem street corners you’ve got British soul hero in the making Jamie Lidell.

Ex-member of the electronic band Super_Collider, Lidell’s solo work sounds more like 60’s soul crafted on one of Saturn’s rings. His most recent work Multiply released in 2005 on Warp Records is a true masterpiece. This album will make your ears sweat, so whether you think your ears are fat and could use a workout (this would make you crazy) or want to listen to something brilliant run out to get it.

Unlike his live critically acclaimed performances which consist of mad genius sampling, vocal looping and beatboxing the album is much more conventional, with most of the music played on real instruments. Jamie uses the versatility of his voice to recall everyone from Otis Redding to Little Richard without getting his own voice lost in the comparisons. Think of what they could’ve done then if they knew what we know now, that’s what Jamie Lidell does.

For any of you who are way ahead of me on this one please save your jive sucka comments for some other time, not knowing was punishment enough.