How Do You Do

Mayer Hawthorne | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Republic
• ASIN: B005HWUBZ0
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #368 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > R&B > Soul > General AAS
  • #78 in Music > Classic Rock > Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

The "retro soul" tag is added to almost any contemporary work that sounds like it was originally recorded before 1980, and Mayer Hawthorne is aware of how trends come and go.

But, he says, he's not interested in taking it back to the "good old days," as much as he is in creating the "new good days." And to fans like producer Mark Ronson, who said, "I have no idea what this is, old or new, but it's fucking good!!!" upon first hearing Hawthorne's music, age ain't nothin' but a number.

On How Do You Do, his first major label effort for Universal Republic Records, Hawthorne proves that he is not part of a trend. The classic Motown sound that provided the blueprint for his self-produced independent debut, A Strange Arrangement, remains, but is joined on How Do You Do by music reminiscent of late 1960s California pop and the best work from the likes of Steely Dan and Chicago.

"Hawthorne emerges with a jaw-dropping collection of classic soul," RollingStone.com proclaimed upon hearing A Strange Arrangement, but with this latest release, the formula has been updated. The vocals are stronger, the music more varied and vibrant, but it's still Mayer Hawthorne. And the message is love.

Hawthorne grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, and vividly remembers, as a child, driving with his father and tuning the car radio in to the rich soul and jazz history the region provided. "Most of the best music ever made came out of Detroit," claims the singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, who counts Smokey Robinson and famed songwriting trio Holland, Dozier, Holland among his influences, but also draws inspiration from Michael McDonald, Juan Atkins and J Dilla.

Hawthorne has produced and played instruments for much of his life, but never intended to become a singer. What he became, however, was a new school soul sensation, touring globally and earning accolades from Playboy, NPR and Entertainment Weekly. "He's an able singer...an arranger of astonishing precision," wrote the New York Times when Hawthorne first hit the scene.

On "The Walk," the first single from How Do You Do, Hawthorne plays a man scorned and content with saying "So long, you did me wrong" to the lady in his life. "A Long Time" is both a brilliant homage to Steely Dan's "Hey Nineteen" and a storied history of Hawthorne's beloved Detroit, followed by a duet - yes, duet - with the incomparable Snoop Dogg on "Can't Stop."

"It's Snoop like you've never heard him before," Hawthorne told Billboard.com before the two performed together at the South by Southwest music festival in March.

The rest of How Do You Do is a trip through generations and tales of love cherished and love lost. Songs like "Hooked," "You Called Me" and "You're Not Ready" are vintage fare, while "The News" and "No Strings" add a modern, 21st century flair to the proceedings. The album culminates in "Henny & Gingerale," an ode to the signature cocktail complete with the party banter and pulsating dance floor R&B of Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up."

Snoop Dogg once heralded Hawthorne as his new favorite artist, praise shared via Twitter by other stars such as Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and John Mayer. With the release of How Do You Do, such sentiment is sure to grow, just as Hawthorne himself continues to grow as an artist and performer. It was soul music from which he came, and those roots will never be left behind. But there is more to this artist than just soul music.

"A lot of my other influences are coming out on this record," Hawthorne told Billboard.com. "There are a lot of other genres that are blending in now.

"It's just turning into me."

Product Description

2011 album from the singer, songwriter, producer and DJ. The Retro Soul tag is added to almost any contemporary work that sounds like it was originally recorded before 1980, and Mayer Hawthorne is aware of how trends come and go. On How Do You Do, Hawthorne proves that he is not part of a trend. The classic Motown sound that provided the blueprint for his self-produced independent debut, A Strange Arrangement, remains, but is joined on How Do You Do by music reminiscent of late 1960s California pop and the best work from the likes of Steely Dan and Chicago. On this release, the formula has been updated. The vocals are stronger, the music more varied and vibrant, but it's still Mayer Hawthorne. And the message is love.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Groove! October 13, 2011

By Gareth J. Phillips

Format:Audio CD

I need to start this review with a confession for perspective's sake. I bought this album on the recommendations I read online of Mayer Hawthorne's strong melodies. Ordinarily, I would not have given an album in the soul/ R'nB genre much of a chance, but for some reason, this time I decided to go for it!

I am very happy I did, because what I discovered in Hawthorne's music is a great sense of melody, high quality production and some seriously catchy tunes. (I totally dig the feel of songs such as "A Long Time" and "Hooked") While he does not have the greatest voice ever, his style of singing is infectious enough to overlook that fact.

If I had to choose one word to describe the album it would be "groove". This album grooves from start to finish, from the low, grinding, greasy feel of "Can't Stop" through to the carefree pop/ soul of "Finally Falling". Hawthorne certainly has the ability to compose a great song, and I seriously doubt that talent like his will remain under the radar for much longer!

"How Do You Do" has taught me to not write off an album simply because it is part of a particular genre without first giving it a chance. I am now keen to check out Hawthorne's earlier releases, and I look forward to seeing where this very infectious album is going to take him.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music December 1, 2011

By Rich

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

We saw this group on Letterman and loved the song "walking" I took a chance on the album but was not expecting much as the music today is not for me. Yes I am over 60. My wife and I loved the entire album and have played it many times.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MAYER, YOU'RE TWO FOR TWO October 16, 2011

By John T. Borek

Format:Audio CD

Happy days are here again! I loved his first CD A Strange Arrangement and this collection of songs is even better than the last. Unusual for a relatively unknown artist to have two incredible albums back to back, but Mayer Hawthorne has accomplished just that. Henny and Gingerale is, in my opinion, the best of the lot and he saves it for the very last. I love the short and sweet The News, what a great tune. Among the other standout tracks are Get To Know You, The Walk, No Strings just to name a few. Finally good music is back and if you love old sounding R&B with a new twist, this is THE MAN. What a great CD, thanks Mayer, I can always count on you for great music.