Multiply

Jamie Lidell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warp Records
• ASIN: B0009I46A8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,945 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It would not be an exaggeration to say that James Lidell’s the finest blue eyed soul singer in years, and thankfully he puts his pipes in service of the right stuff. Dude can seriously sing–one minute he reminds you of Otis, the next Sly, a brief detour through Marvin, a serious Prince workout, and then the dude goes and nails a great take on Stevie ’s style too. The production is really inventive and subtle. Songs like "Multiply" and "Game for Fools" start out sounding spot-on retro at first, but then little touches sneak into the mix later on that are decidedly modern – the crazy keyboard solo on the former and the drum programming and subtle vocal effects on the latter. What keeps Lidell from massive cheesiness a la Jamiroquai is evident on "The City," the only real link here to Lidell’s previous crazy-beats-heavy and effects-laden solo album and his work with Supercollider. Its inclusion here helps ground the album in the present, and along with the brief live clip included in the enhanced portion of the disc, it is clear Lidell is a major talent. –Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I need, July 7, 2005

By 

Mooselover "dustinland.com" (NYC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Multiply (Audio CD)

How can this album be real? Just when I thought music was over and done with, just when I thought the soul was gone - a dorky British white guy comes along sounding like a cross between Marvin Gaye and Prince. This album is fantastic. Every song is full of heart and soul and grooves and funk. I mean, it actually sounds like the guy enjoys making music. Sure, there are a few tracks that are just okay, but tracks like Multiply, Music Will Not Last, What's The Use and When I Come Back Around make the album a must have. Sure, he's kinda ripping off the old school sound, but I'd rather listen to a guy who rips off motown than a bunch of tools who wish they were living in the 80s - aka every new band out today.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unlikely Packaging, April 6, 2007

By 

T. L. Morris (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Multiply (Audio CD)

While watching TV one afternoon I heard this commercial for Target, with a memorable hook `A little bit more, a little bit more' I thought, what a catchy little jingle. The next time I heard it I found myself rewinding it repeatedly, oh the joyous wonders of TiVo. Anyhow, I began obsessing over the song as I do so many other things. Until I thought, I MUST HAVE IT! I scoured the Internet and by that, I mean I simply Googled `Target Commercial+A little bit more,' and voila, I had a name, Jamie Lidell. I wasn't quite sure I even had the right person. I clicked the link to the site, fingers crossed, I clicked the link to one of the songs, saying my little mantra to myself `please be him, please be him.' Then it happened...I heard the song not the greatest of sound because it was coming through the muffled sound of my computer speakers (yes I still have a stereo that plays CDs), but it was the song, it was him!! But who was he? Who was this person, Jamie Lidell? Maybe I'm a `Genre Racist' but I expected a more adult version of RB cutie pie Chris Brown. Alternatively, at the very least a hot vanilla honey like Robin Thicke or Justin Timberlake. What did I get? I got a horned rimed glasses wearing awkwardly dressed, escapee contestant from Geeks on Parade! This can't be. But it was. Moreover, the music is fantastic! It is one of the best surprises I've heard all year. I ordered the CD thank goodness Amazon sold it. I have an uncanny ability to hear a couple of versus in a song and know if I'm going to enjoy anything else they sing. The pitch in his voice is great. His lyrical intimations and phrasing is awesome. The music is a bit challenged but if he had better producers, this would be a non-issue. He favors synthesizers a bit. But I attributed this to his German background. Even this small challenge didn't stop this CD from being a small masterpiece. I wonder if his unlikely packaging has gotten in his way from being the next RB/Pop/Rock hybrid such as Robin Thicke or even Adam Levine of Maroon 5. He certainly has the voice and capacity to be as big as these guys. I hope it's just a matter of time. Even if the packaging is wrong. He is great. Now I kinda' like his geek-like charm. I guess it's true, you can't judge anything by it's packaging. It's a great CD, well worth every cent. I put it on a let it roll through to the end. Geeks Rule!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bring funk back from the dead?, August 30, 2005

By 

M. Scott "Koopa Troopa" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Multiply (Audio CD)

Every day I lament the passing of funk music. Hip-hop killed it dead, leaving only the 5 second samples that MCs choose to loop for their newest tomes about rims and chinchillas. BORING!!

Thank god, then, for this record. Like other reviewers have said, it runs the gamut from old-school Otis Redding soul to dirty, dirty Parliament funk. At times it sounds Beckish, at others it drifts into Terrence Trent D'Arby town, occasionally it even picks up the Phoenix vibe, but for the most part it's up front, serious about taking it to the edge, and totally fun. How dare a modern musician create an album that has an upbeat vibe!

He's got a great voice, the production is dope, and the songs only get better with time. In a word, a record like this gives me hope. Could funk come back to life?