Ellington

Once strictly a laptop artist on the pristine Warp (U.K.) label, Jamie Lidell transcends and evolves on his first full length offering in five years. Although he is still on Warp, all prior comparisons end as he jettisons old notions of his identity and slams us with this beautiful 44 minute foray into Motown, Funk and New School Soul. One can hear hints of Al Green, Stevie Wonder and George Clinton, alongside the newer stylings of Beck, Prince and Jamiroquai, all seeping forth into a wonderfully familiar, yet unique module of sound. Highly recommended. - Alex Slawson and Herman Snell