I first came across Michael
Kiwanuka’s powerful blend of folk and soul on a Communion label sampler
released last year where his debut single Tell
Me a Tale held pole position. The song immediately grabbed my attention with
a sound that showed evident influences of soul artists of the 70’s, but with a definite
contemporary feel. Since then Michael’s star has been steadily on the rise as
his music spread further, gathering attention until finally he was announced as
the winner of the BBC Sound of 2012 award. Having come ahead of such noteworthy
competitors as Lianne La Havas, Frank Ocean and Friends, a weight of
expectation has awaited the release of Michael’s debut album Home Again. Michael fulfils, and exceeds,
this expectation.
The opening track Tell Me a Tale sets the mood for the
album, with percussion, flute and horns that evoke the free-time jazz leanings
of beat poets like the late Gil Scott-Heron, while Michael’s hypnotically
striking voice is reminiscent of Terry Callier. As his voice trails off with
the wail of a blaring saxophone solo, the folk of Bob Dylan and John Martyn
sneaks in with the gently uplifting I’m
Getting Ready. The next track I’ll
Get Along would sit comfortably on Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On and keeps on moving on up as Michael reassuringly
sings “I know I didn’t call, / But I’ll be along in a little while”. The lazy
Sunday morning song Rest lulls you
into feeling like you’re drifting gently along down a river before leading into
the title track, Home Again. This
song has gained a lot of airplay since its release as a single prior to the
album release, and deservedly so. It beautifully shuffles along, centring on
Michael’s voice and guitar before he is joined by evocative strings. The tasteful
presence of backing singers and orchestral augmentation on this song (and
indeed most of the album) brings a touch of class to the proceedings, giving
the feel of a gospel choir in which Michael’s soulful crooning takes the lead
as he sings “And the tears will clear, / Then I’ll feel no fear.”
The cheerful love song Bones recalls the upbeat pop goodness of
Buddy Holly, while Always Waiting is
a song of yearning and moving on into tomorrow. It drives on with the momentum
of a steam train, and echoes the indelible songwriting of Paul Simon. I Won’t Lie is a bold soul anthem which
sounds like a cutting room outtake from a forgotten Sam Cooke or Otis Redding
session. For Michael to be able to weigh in with these soul titans shows his extraordinary
ambition, and even more extraordinary is that he manages to pull it off. This
ambition continues into the majestically brooding anthem of personal struggle
and loneliness of Any Day Will Do Fine.
The sweeping strings and bold brass of the track push Michael’s aching vocals
and tense guitar melodies to heady heights. As the strings fade and the lights
seemingly dim, we are lead into the melancholic album closer Worry Walks Beside Me. Michael’s stark
guitar and even starker vocals open the track and captivate the listener as
waves of strings, backing vocals and piano swirl around. As always Michael’s
yearning vocals hold precedence as he questioningly wails “What will it take to
believe I can run? / What will it take? When will I be done?” before the album
gently fades to a close.
Over the course of the album Michael
covers an impressive spectrum of raw emotion, from uplifting affirmation of
life to melancholic lows and every pit stop in between. The album as a whole expresses
a wealth of personal experience that belies Michael’s age, similar to the early
work of Leonard Cohen that established him as a man old before his time. This
is coupled with a sound that is bold and audacious, but in no way sounds
arrogant or overreaches. Though his influences are plain to see, ultimately
Michael’s unique character evident throughout Home Again shows that these are merely influences rather than
sources for cheap imitation. Michael Kiwanuka is the real thing, with songs
that possess a balanced gentility that touches the heart and present a budding
talent that we will no doubt hear from again.
JM
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