Hold On! is right! Daptone Records delivers yet another soulful dose of nectar for the ears. Known for producing the albums of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, The Budos Band and Naomi Shelton & Gospel Queens, Daptone reeled in British outfit, the James Hunter Six, for Hunter’s fourth album—and first with Daptone.
Laden with energetic saxophone, frisky drums, guiding organ and James Hunter’s melodic and soothing voice, Hold On! is worthy of some serious juking, jiving and a solid position in your latest playlist. Full of elements of soul, bossa nova and jazz, Hold On! crosses genre boundaries to pull together a holistically sound album.
There is no set arrangement based on the tempo in Hold On!, with “Stranded,” “(Baby) Hold On,” and “If That Don’t Tell You” all deserving of some play in a dance hall, with spirited, driving beats that lead to some booty shaking, or at the very least some foot tapping with a grin. “In the Dark,” “This is Where We Came In,” and “Light of My Life” have the head bopping back and forth with at a slower pace and are more so soulful serenades. While it is hard to mention Sam Cooke in the same breath as anyone, “A Truer Heart” supplies a reminiscent feel.
Pop the album in or on to enjoy sax, organ and a snazzy voice. Listen to lyrics about love, passion, and desire. Repeat. Voilà, it’s a perfect cure for those days when things are gloomy, when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or just always.
Recommended If You Like: Lee Fields, Charles Bradley, Naomi Shelton & Gospel Queens, Sharon Jones
Recommended Tracks: 8 (Stranded), 3 ((Baby) Hold On), 1 (If That Don’t Tell You), (Satchelfoot)
Do Not Play: None
Written by Colin Smith on 02/13/16