Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.For years, Anthony Hamilton was in a similar position to Nate Dogg and (until recently) John Legend, adding a sprinkling of Southern soul vocals to records by such as Eve, 2Pac, Nappy Roots and D'Angelo while his solo career languished. Until Arista managed to shift a million copies of his third album Comin' From Where I'm From, Hamilton had seen his MCA debut XTC disappear without so much as a ripple, and the Soulife label for whom he recorded a subsequent album followed suit. Now made available through Atlantic, Soulife reveals Hamilton to be the Bill Withers of his era, blessed with a warm, brown vocal tone and a musical manner that blends folksy, acoustic guitar-based soul with a relaxed funkiness and a philosophical attitude. In songs like "I Used to Love Someone" and "Ol' Keeper", Hamilton chides women for their inconstancy, but without sinking to the misogynistic bitterness that's become prevalent in modern R&B; instead, he remains sanguine and suave, smoothly asserting in "Clearly" that "It's clearly understandable/ That I'm not some kind of animal/ I'm just in love with you". Elsewhere, "Georgie Parker" offers reminiscences of a troubled step-child, "Love War" is a duet with Macy Gray, and "Ball And Chain" finds the singer musing wistfully on the prospect of returning to Georgia. A languid delight.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments