Van Hunt [Enhanced]

Van Hunt

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2004)
• Original Release Date: February 24, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B0001BKAGM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (164 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,219 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Van Hunt’s self-titled debut record is a sultry trip back in time, where the single named musician conjures up the heady specter of '70s R&B, channeling vintage Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, then punctuating that smooth soul with some Sly Stone rhythm and grit, and early Prince naughtiness, without managing to sound hopelessly derivative. Why? Because behind every old school nuance is an ingenious vocal tic or instrumental fillip that reveals the quirky genius of this newcomer who not only sings but writes, produces, and arranges all his own material. The sinuous guitar, brash off-rhythms, and bubbling bass lines are perfect foils for the musician’s decidedly modern tales of thwarted love and commitment. Van Hunt may be a fan of retro soul, but to his credit he doesn’t even attempt to resurrect some the social anachronisms of the times. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, just plain HOT!, April 13, 2004

By	Christian Hunter "Christian hunter" (Austin, TX and Santa Barbara, CA,) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Every couple of weeks I "cruise" the music scene in search of new and different music that isn't bombarding the public on the radio yet. As you can imagine, allot of garbage, but it's gems like this artist that make those hunts (no pun intended) worthwhile.

I found Van Hunt through Dwele (another really talented new neo..whatev. RnB/Funk/Soul artist) and on first listen was compelled by his insanely beautiful voice and unconventional sound.

I could catch some flack for this comparison, but he sounds to me like a blend of Ben Harper, D'Angelo, and Lenny Kravitz. It's funny, I think of it as "modern", but when you listen, it's mostly instrumental with little electronic production to it; guess it's just the unorthodox way the tracks and instruments are combined.

My favorite tracks by far are:

"Dust"....an upbeat funky expose of his vocal talent. very catchy and drenched with a "self-effacing but damn I'm still cool" attitude.

"Highlights"...this makes me think of someone who's name I won't mention. but a love, well, more like "smitten song" about infatuation with "the girl that wants Hollywood Attention". Fast paced, fun, funky.

"Seconds of Pleasure"...BB King meets Kravitz meets Prince. insane. molasses slow, this track had me wanting for white linen, a frosty mojito and sun porch... oh, and someone else.

"Down Here In Hell"...My favorite song on the album. Another Van Hunt style love song; a tribute to the fire of those "break up to make up relationships"...

I gave this CD to my sister (a serious music lover). She called me the next day and was like "oh my god, this CD is insane! blah, blah, yap. yap), and I was like "word".

Then she gave to my 52 year old mom who was at his concert last weekend.

Whoa.

Hope this was a helpful endorsement. I highly recommend.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Soul Classic, March 21, 2004

By	WrtnWrd "Hankman" (Northridge, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I've had a prerelease copy of Van Hunt's debut since October 2003 and have been waiting for Capitol to put it on its release schedule so I could sing Mr. Hunt's praises. Well, Van Hunt is finally out, and if you have even a passing interest in neo-soul or a general admiration for the big guns in R&B (Al Green, Marvin Gaye, etc.), get yourself a copy pronto. The difference between Hunt and recent forebears D'Angelo and Maxwell is that Hunt's a better songwriter. Much as I admire his contemporaries, they rarely write a track that embeds itself in memory verse chorus verse. They get by on superior pipes and vibe or, in Maxwell's case, covering a better writer (his cover of Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" is sublime). Maxwell's the better singer; D'Angelo the sexier playa, but Hunt's got chops and broader interests. He can slow burn ("Seconds of Pleasure"), funk it up ("Hello, Goodbye"), sing the blues ("Down Here in Hell (With You)"), add shades of silky jazz ("Who Will Love Me in Winter"), and orchestrate a ballad ("What Can I Say") like the lovechild of Gershwin and Rufus Wainwright.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NEW Old School Flava!, March 3, 2004

By	L. P. Jackson "mslpj" (Nashville, TN (Detroit, MI is still home to me)) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you like good music, (and I do stress the word good) please check out the self titled CD by a new artist named Van Hunt.
Unfortunately this brother won't be taking home 5 Grammys, because he isn't shaking his @ss or talking about anyone who is.
I can't explain it, but his music refreshed me in so many ways. His CD isn't vulgar, waisting lyrics on humpin, bumpin and bling-bling, it's just good music.
So if you enjoy artists like Angie Stone, Remy Shand, Anthony Hamilton, India Arie (not just the song Brown Skin), and Me'Shell NdegeOcello, I think you will find Van Hunt enjoyable.
P.S. If you're not up on Remy Shand, please check him out, his 2nd album will be released this summer; and his 1st effort was the bomb.
P.S.S. MeShell NdegeOcello has a new album in stores now titled Comfort Woman, It's good also.