The new album popular is very experimental and very much outside the box. It make take a few folks more than one listen. The dimple on your bottom is a very funky track. Something about the record has a TTD/Sananda Metreya feel to it. Who knows just when this one will drop seeing that he was dropped from his label capitol signed to Bluenote and dropped again, or rather they both agreed to part ways.

This is the official statement..

Van Hunt and EMI split, new album without a label
Writer: Jeremy Goldmeier
News, Published online on 04 Dec 2007
Last Friday, Paste received a notice from Blue Note Records stating that the label would not be releasing Van Hunt's upcoming third album, Popular. After inquiring further, we received the following statement from a publicist at Capitol Records, which, like Blue Note, is owned by EMI Music:

"Van Hunt and EMI/Blue Note Records have mutually agreed to part ways.

Van Hunt would like to sincerely thank EMI for their support over the years. With everyone's commitment and dedication from both Capitol Records and Blue Note Records, Hunt has enjoyed incredible critical acclaim as well as multiple Grammy nominations and a Grammy win. Plans are currently being made for the release of Van Hunt's third CD, 'Popular;' the label to be announced."

Popular was formerly slated to appear in stores on Jan. 15 via Blue Note. Hunt's previous two albums, Van Hunt and On the Jungle Floor, had arrived on Capitol Records. In an interview published in the current issue of Paste, Hunt had this to say on his relationship with the music industry:

“I have a temper I could learn to sit on a little better. It has certainly surfaced in dealing with the business of music. Every day, somebody in the business wants me to change something about who I am so they can have an easier time dealing with me. There are evidently lots of people who would like to see Van Hunt become a little more like everybody else. That’s not going to happen.”

As Capitol's statement mentions, no new label or release date is set for Popular. Blue Note's official website for the album is still online, however. We'll have more on this story as it develops.

Damn, if Blue Note won't distribute him, then who will? I thought BN was about to take on all the Neo Soulsters but I guess not.

Damn! I was really looking forward to it.

Meloh9 said:

When I read something like this, I lose less and less sympathy for the record industry's plight. I can only hope Hunt can maintain his position while still managing to get the music out to those who appreciate someone willing to take risks and move in the opposite direction.

Meloh9 said:

Van Hunt

Glad I picked up a promo when I did. I wouldn't call it experimental though.

I sure hate it because as much as I liked the first two, this one is the album I can play from start to finish without skipping a single track. Third time was definitely the charm... hopefully he can get a distributor soon or release it on an indie label.

Im not surprized..

OMG "Popular/Count's Coda" is my shit..

I love Van - I hope it gets out somehow

I love his new songs on myspace and I hope the record will be released somehow at last .

Ah yes, another one of those,"I make real music" neo-soul tools with the studio musician band, "r&b alternative" marketing team, ghost writers, neo-soul stylists, and wack ass elevator music only good enough for a wack niche black film(or at least that's what I heard when I decided to abuse myself with his garbage). The fake REAL ARTIST FIGHTS THE LABEL story leaking is a great promo mindfuck tool. I'm surprised they're still using that.

Dance said:

Damn. Did a Neo Soul artist fuck your girl?

I NEED this music!!!!

gotdammit.

he needs to just go all ani difranco and get the shit out himself. eff a label.

Dance said:

You are just a ball of sunshine trapped in someone's ass

In this era of self-distribution and online marketing, he can turn an unanticipated crisis into a personal and financial victory. Release it yourself, VH.
[Edited 1/1/08 17:16pm]

dreamfactory313 said:

me too!! This album was going to be my first music purchase of 2008
I'm soooo mad at the music industry for this!


When Spin reviewed Popular they gave it 3 out of 4 stars and gave this quote...


"Van Hunt is stuck in commercial limbo: too impish to fill the neoclassicist void left by D'Angelo and Maxwell, not quirky enough to cross over to white alternative fans (Andre3000, Cee-lo)."

Thankfully I got my paws on a promotional sampler from a friend who works at a radio station to atleast hold me over for now...

thekidsgirl said:

:jealous:

thekidsgirl said:

So the record's not coming out ...

LittleBLUECorvette said:

DON"T SAY THAT!
It's just delayed for now

theodore said:

don't be too jealous
Its a sampler, so its only half of the album

...but you can hate on me for hugging him twice in October!

I'm still not sold on VH, but I agree that he's in position to release this on his own. He probably doesn't want the hassle of doing so and would much rather focus on the music than the business, but hey...

thekidsgirl said:

Still, I only have 'The Lowest One of My Desires'

Damn record labels

I got it today..my first impression.."i listened to it twice"..is that he's lacking something..
yes he has some nice influences..sly..curtis..prince..ect..But he never does anything as good as them or beyond what they did..I have all of his albums and they all give me the same feeling..that feeling is:
If I didnt know "the real deal" and i was introduced to a guy like van hunt in our current musical world "CRAP"..then I might say he's interesting..NOT GREAT..but interesting..but knowing the real deal..and living my life around other artists that share similar influences (including myself) I just dont think he has what it takes to stand out and leave a mark on the music world..not as a performer..or a personality..or a Musician...or for his personal style..or for his voice..or for his concepts/songs..something aint there !
Of course that has nothing to do with him being dropped from the label..that happens all the time to far more talented artists..I just think the Van hunt thing will forever remail close to the hearts of a select FEW fans !

Boo-Fuckin'-Hoo! Same old sad story, over and over again

People need to put Quincy Jones and James Brown as examples of how they treated this industry EXACTLY how it sounds; Music business: Make your music while you cater to the business aspect.

There was a time when you couldn't do one without the other, nowadays you have to cater do one ABOVE the other,,,which is the business side.

Alot of musicians are out of work today because they have no stomach to deal with the business when its a much-needed priority. How else could you protect your musicianship? Its NOT all about the music, lets get our asses outta the clouds.

Law don't protect no fools. You can blame the music industry all day everyday, but if you won't protect your territory with a business knowledge,,,,expect it when motherfuckers invade your shit and throw you out on the streets.

I should be sorry for him, but I'm not. There're NO excuses whatsoever why musicians(and esp black musicians) are still clueless about the business aspects,,,there are every healthy legal method you can learn to protect your shit, but if you refuse to do so for the sake of "doing it ALL for music", you have nobody to blame but your own naive ass.

You speak the Hard Cold TRUTH !

Harlepolis said:

prettymansson said:

You can pass that album on to me if you're done with it. I'll be happy to take it off your hands.
[Edited 1/1/08 19:35pm]

prettymansson said:

Read again!

There's ALOT of love behind it

It pains me to see alot of good teachers out of work because they refuse to eknowledge the so-called "Ugly" side of the music industry.

Why should I blame the record labels for my beloved musicians' ignorance? They're just doing their jobs just like the next person. If you don't have patience for this ride, somebody will take your place in no time.

Thats why I can't be mad anymore when people like George Benson and George Duke do "Smooth Jazz". I hate the music with a passionate gut,,,but I understand why they do it and I stopped judging them for doing it.