On the Jungle Floor

Van Hunt, Van Hunt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 4, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000EMGJM2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,035 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Here's something you didn't know about Van Hunt: Randy Jackson is his manager. Which says a lot about the "American Idol" judge's prime-time panning of pitchy would-be Stevie Wonders-- mainly, that he knows what he's talking about. If there is still a neo-soul show to be stolen, Van Hunt, for sure, has made off with it: This sophomore effort, with well-spaced nods to Prince, Curtis Mayfield, and the Isley Brothers, is way weightier than anything Maxwell or D'Angelo ever attempted and every bit as stylish… maybe more so. But what's most surprising is the disc's depth. Van Hunt knows his way around a smooth seduction--look no further than track two, "If I Take You Home (Upon ...)," which earns an A in that category--but he also has a little something to contribute to the modern rock conversation (the Kravitz-esque "Ride, Ride, Ride"), and he won't duck associations with disco ("The Thrill of This Love"), either. Even '80s-revivalism, as demonstrated here by "At the End of a Slow Dance," doesn't prove too great a challenge. Tie it all up with a bow (or, this being Van Hunt, maybe an ascot) and you still get a solidly singular vision. That is the magic of Van Hunt and what makes him, in alt-soul circles, the man. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Van Hunt's self titled album was released in the UK to much critical acclaim. Picking up where he left off... he's back with a new album entitled On The Jungle Floor. EMI. 2006. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cream Has Risen to the Top Once More, April 13, 2006

By 

Fred McGhee "fredmcghee" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Jungle Floor (Audio CD)

A superior effort. Once again Hunt manages to embody his diverse influences and interests without sounding derivative. Yes, one can say that Hunt's most direct influences are Prince, Sly & the Family Stone, the Ohio Players, and others (Terence Trent D'Arby a.k.a Sananda Maitreya comes to mind) but Hunt is simply too clever to wear that stuff directly on his sleeve. One can sense Hunt's desire to stretch out and develop a vocabulary of his own, and this album offers more proof that his musical skills in that direction are progressing nicely. Hunt is also clearly not the ultra control freak that Prince was in the 1980's and has obviously learned those lessons as well.

Enlisting Bill Bottrell as a producer was a smart choice, as was Hunt's choice to co-write some of the songs with others. The diversity of musical stylings on this album is considerable and does not confuse genuine braggadocio with showy or arrogant musical showmanship. The mood is quirky and upbeat and the lyrics are strong. The arrangements (more strings, female accompaniment) are more developed than on Hunt's debut record, and Hunt's singing is also better.

The record does fall short in terms of being a comprehensive statement of purpose in terms of lyrical subject matter, but this is a minor critique as this was probably never the purpose of the record and is overshadowed by the genuine musical virtuosity on display here. Another shortcoming is the inclusion of the Nikka Costa collaboration "Mean Sleep." The Lenny Kravitz produced version on Cree Summer's 1999 album is better. That song could and probably should have been left off this record altogether.

Another fine effort by a supremely talented musician.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT CALL THIS NEO SOUL! PLEEEZE!!!, April 6, 2006

By 

starrtracks "starrtracks" (Brooklyn, NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Jungle Floor (Audio CD)

Let's get this straight... For those not in the know, this is NOT a Neo-Soul albuml!!! So don't expect any watery, dreamy, smooth, cheesy, black love poetry music happening here. This is no Jill Scott or Floetry type material - this is Van "MuthaF'n" Hunt. On the Jungle Floor is certainly a banging album well worth the wait. Comparing this to his debut, OTJF is an extension of his first album pumped on steriods as he would say. So comparing this to Rahsaan Patterson is a major no no. Here you will find alot of musical color, variation, and experimentation going on that works extremely well. Though he produced Rahsaan's albums, this is Van Hunt doing it Big! My biggest dissapointment was his version of "Mean Sleep", which is a song he wrote and we all loved on Cree Summer's album. I found this version VERY demo-ish and out of tune at times. Even with Nikka Costa - whom I LOVE - did no real justice. They both over sang the song which sounded more like a drunken jam session that accidentally fell on the album. Certainly not a favorite of mine but nonetheless, OTJF is a sure shot album that'll get played til the day I die along with his first. I would love to see Van Hunt produce a Prince album, but I HIGHLY doubt that'll ever happen. Gotta love the thought though!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars dont give up on this please!, April 11, 2006

By 

Black Rob (The Streets) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Jungle Floor (Audio CD)

Okay I have tended to notice some people dismiss this album at first. As others have mentioned ( aside from a few songs ) its not immediately catchy. But dont let that fool you. This is a masterpiece. Its the kind of CD that grows on you... in a big way. I myself being a HUGE fan of the first release wasnt blown away after my first listen. But man , after it played through a few times, it kept me listening...and listening... and listening. The more I listen the more I love this album. Its one of those things where if you only hear it once, you might say whats the big deal? But if you take the time to digest what Van is laying down he will make a convert of you ... it WILL happen.