I was told about Van Hunt a good few years ago by an aunt while I was still loving 'Brown Sugar' so much that I didn't pay attention. Eventually I did pay attention to her, downloaded the album, and loved it. His voice seems quite limited, but it's strangely effective and there's something about his phrasing that makes singing along so necessary and enjoyable. Anyway, it's been a while, so what's he up to at the moment?

I checked out his website and it's still describing VH as a 'new' album.

Wait, don't mind me, I've just seen that his new album is slated for an April 4th release. So has anybody heard anything about the new material?

And what in general do you think of Van Hunt? I don't know what it is exactly, but I really got into his debut album in a way I never could with Maxwell and others (not inc. D'Angelo). There's a subtle depth there that hints at more to come, I feel.

I also like his work with Rahsaan Patterson. Always a nice combination when those two work together. RP's exuberant vocals seem to work well over VH's music.

So in conclusion, what do you think of Van Hunt and what have you heard about his new album?

I haven't heard anything about the new album before your post, but I will pick it up when its released (thanks for the heads up).

I really like the debut, particularly Dust, Her December, Hello Goodbye and Highlights.

I am disappointed that it was poorly promoted in the States. This guys is very talented and I hope it carries over to the sohopmore album.

I'm sure that I heard a sample of a song from his new cd on Myspace a few weeks ago and I was satified enough to know that I would be buying the new one just based on that one song. The man is talented!

Stax said:

I think it was a very decent debut effort. I have my favourites on the album, including Dust and Hello Goodbye as you mentioned above (plus Out of the Sky), but what impresses me most is that it's a pretty consistent album from start to finish. Certainly very assured, but then it's not like he's that new as a musician and songwriter.

...
[Edited 2/17/06 7:44am]

Diananeith said:

Cool. I'll check that out later.

Fauxie said:

Yes, it is a consistent effort, not much filler.

i guess wendy is going to be on this one a lil more then the last one.

sosgemini said:

Let's hope so.

sosgemini said:

And this is the exact reason that prompted me to go ahead and buy the first one. I was hesitant to buy it even with all the good things I was hearing but then someone said Wendy was playing on it and I was all over it. I know that she's on one of my favorites "Precious"

His debut album is great..


Just listen to it yesterday...

Has that Sly Stone/Curtis Mayfield vibe....

Van Hunt is the shit. Randy (American Idol) Jackson did a great job on Hunt's debut as well. "Seconds of Pleasure" and "Down Here In Hell" are the mothafuckin jams.

Fauxie said:

I didn't know Wendy played on the first album. I'm going to have to listen more closely next time. And read the liner notes!

ChristopherTracyParade said:

i still can't believe randy "dawg" jackson is his mamager and or producer. i guess he knows more about music than he lets on. that first album is fantastic.

dancerella said:

Shiiiit, Randy KNOWS music. Don't sleep on RJ just because he's on a cheesy ass singer-search show, Randy knows his shit.

dancerella said:

It's very believable.
Randy "Dawg" Jackson didn't just show up on AI out of nowhere.

He's a very competent musician and producer.
Do some research on his background.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I caught a lot of shit from people on this site for liking this CD. When I 1st heard it, I really wasn't that impressed. I thought he was going to do the "Prince/Shuggie Otis" thing and play all the instruments himself...About 7 months later, I popped it back in the CD player (I forgot I even had it) and re-checked it. And I actually dug it. "Dust", "Down Here In Hell", and "Out Of The Sky" are some funky tracks and "Hold My Hand" has "unreleased Prince demo from 1980" written al over it. Hope he pulls thru on the next CD.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Yeah, it does! "Down Here In Hell" is cool. He doesn't try to hide his influences, which is good and healthy for him in the long haul.

theAudience said:

i guess i didn't know much about his background but i'm very impressed with his work on the van hunt cd.

new album hits 4/4

peace

You know it B. His influences are cool so he can "borrow" from them and make it his own thing. He's not trying to sound completely and EXACTLY like them (like Lenny).

And people can say what they want about Randy Jackson, but he's one of the baddest bass players that's been on the scene since 1980. And he's worked with everyone.."Google" his name and you'll see who he's written and peformed with. He knows a lot about music.

Other than Pharrell's debut, there is no other cd that I am more anxiously anticipating this year.

VH has actually written a lot of songs for other people.. I just made a mix on itunes of them. OK, actually mostly Rahsaan, who I adore. My three favorite Cree Summer songs were all penned by V Hunt (deliciously down, mean sleep, sweet pain) I am SO looking forward to a new album. and I can't believe I missed seeing him open for Angie stone a few years back.. he hasn't toured since!

what do I think of VH? I think his album sounded like a classic from the first time I heard it and this is just his debut. One of the best albums of new material I have heard in years.

More boring play it save neo-soul left overs. He is much better with just an acoustic, and the music on his web-site was better than what came on the album. This cd is the type of music you listen to while your taking a do do at Barnes and Nobles.

I'm not sure who is worse Martin Luther, Cody Chesnutt or Van Hunt.

workingupahiyellasweat said:

theAudience said:

I know Randy's a competent musician and producer... he just sucks as a manager and executive producer. I don't get how he allowed two of the best LPs of the last two years to go down the drain the way they did: Nikka Costa's Can'tneverdidnothin' and Van Hunt's eponymously titled debut.

It's harder to take him seriously now that he's on AI and disposing of the talent of artists who have actually paid some dues.
[Edited 2/19/06 16:54pm]

workingupahiyellasweat said:

DAMN, you're annoying I love the shit outta Martin Luther Cody has some nice ones I just gave Van another spin yesterday (after reading this thread) b/c I was NOT impressed w/ him when he first dropped. Digging "Seconds of Pleasure", "Anything (To Get Your Attention)", a few others sound cool enough...

I loved Van Hunt's debut, I think it sounds even better live, especially "Down Here In Hell with You".

He was in Dionne Farris's band, playing rhythm guitar and keyboards (he also wrote the Tune , "Hopeless" (from the Love Jones soundtrack)for her, and she sings background on a few cuts on his debut....

Incidentally, Randy Jackson also produced Dione Farris's "Wild Seed, Wild Flower" album....he was a great bassist, too, playing on albums with everyone from Narada Michael Walden, Aretha Franklin, Bobby McFerrin, Tracy Chapman, Jean Luc Ponty, Mariah Carey, Maze w/ Frankie Beverly, George Benson, Patti Austin, Steve Lukather, Tom Coster and Bruce Springsteen to Stacy Lattisaw, Billy Cobham, Hall and Oates, Bob Dylan, Cher, and Celine Dion...





...
[Edited 2/19/06 20:12pm]

workingupahiyellasweat said:

Uh...Yeah...I think it's safe to say you know absolutely nothing about Soul/R&B...but hey, good luck anyway.

BSK3601 said:

What does him being manager/executive producer have to do with how the music companies don't market their artists? It's not RANDY'S job to promote the album out of his pocket.