The 2006 album
People Gonna Talk allowed
James Hunter to breakthrough to a wider audience. This breakthrough was the result of some twenty years of hard work in clubs and recording albums on smaller labels. Unbelievable, considering that this Englishman has a voice of unparalleled beauty and authenticity. Last year, he released
The Hard Way. The music on this album is soul witha capital 'S' and its style has its roots in the sound of people like Jackie Wilson and particularly, Sam Cooke. The latter is Hunter's greatest source of inspiration. Hunter not only has a wonderful way of thinking, he, like no other, is able to strike the right chord with one effective blow. In addition, in his live performances, he shifts effortlessly from soul to blues and from ska to calypso. All this may mean that Hunter could be one of the biggest surprises at this year's festival.
