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James Hunter
Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
 James Hunter used to be "one of the best kept secrets in British R&B and soul," but now he and his band of "mates" have hopped the pond to join in the current infectious craze for all things soul. His forth and latest album, The Hardway, features Allen Toussaint and was recorded at Toe Rag Studio using only analog equipment—this method being the only adequate choice for a musician of Hunter's caliber. His live show proves he's a born performer and with a talented five-piece combo backing him up, there's no need for technology to interfere.
Hunter electrified the room with his high falsetto soul scream, and started the set off righteously with "Riot In My Heart." The band, which played with Hunter since the beginning of his recording career, held the groove together tightly the entire night. In "Don't Do Me No Favours" and "People Gonna Talk," the title track of their 2006 Grammy-nominated album, the saxophones, maintaining a synchronized hip sway, took-off with remarkable solos. The "token yank" on the Hammond organ, Kyle Koehler, channeled the immortal soul of Ray Charles in "Believe Me Baby." Hunter showed off his growls, shrills, and rolls, and impressed the crowd with fast-handed guitar work on "Watch and Chain" and his cover of the "5" Royales' "Baby Don't Do it." Saving the best for last, the encore consisted of each band member spitting out outstanding solos, and Hunter playing guitar with his mouth in an extended version of "All Through Crying."
When describing his experience working with Hunter, Allen Toussaint stated, "this music is going to delight a lot a lot of people." This concert is a solid reaffirmation. The secret is out, and people are talking.
—Danny Silva
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