Off The Fence

2023s Off the Fence marks the debut of the James Hunter Six on Dan Auerbachs Easy Eye Sound after 13 years with Daptone. Apparently, his leaving was amicable because the set was recorded at the labels California studio and produced by Daptone boss Bosco Mann (Gabriel Roth). Further, Off the Fence marks the 40th recording anniversary of the U.K.-based James Hunter Six -- Myles Weeks (double bass), Rudy Albin Petschauer (drums), Andrew Kingslow (keyboards, percussion), Michael Buckley (baritone saxophone), Drew Vanderwinckel (tenor saxophone), and vocalist Hunter on guitar and harmonica. Hunter and company possess a sound and production M.O. that has remained the same for 40 years. Their retro approach stands out; Hunter, a record collector since age nine, writes songs steeped in vintage soul, rhythm & blues, mambo, rhumba, cha-cha, and jump, and records them in mono. Opener "Two Birds One Stone" employs a mambo rhythm that frames Hunters reedy, lusty croon under a bumping piano. "Let Me Out of This Love" is a softer soul shuffle undergirded by subtle cha cha (a la the Drifters) and carried by wafting Hammond B-3, bass, and drums as Hunter harmonizes in doo wop style with himself. His voice is organically reminiscent of Jackie Wilsons (his biggest influence) and to a minor degree also channels Sam Cookes and Ray Charles. The organ vamp that kicks off rave-up rocker "Gun Shy" is driven by organ and saxophone with staggered cadences. It struts, strolls, and all-but dares listeners to dance. "Believe It When I See It" uses a cut-time rhumba rhythm to frame a smooth R&B choogler around the theme of romantic skepticism. On the tender, sultry "Here and Now" Hunters croon is smoky, soulful, and reveals him as an iconic vocal stylist. "Aint That a Trip" is offered in a Texas blues vernacular with strolling saxophones, Hunters wailing harp, organ, piano, and guitar. Hunter is joined on the vocal by longtime friend and collaborator Van Morrison. Hunters wry, sardonic British humor is stitched into the lyric; its guaranteed to get punters to the dancefloor en masse. The singers falsetto haunts the forlorn romantic "One for Ripley" with a doo wop lilt atop a seamless R&B rhythm framed in mambo. Hunters guitar introduces "Trouble Comes Calling," a strutting R&B jam that showcases the singers glorious falsetto. On the lovely "Particular," Hunters excellent, crooning, jazz vocals swing atop Kingslows laid-back pianism and shuffling rhythm section. Closer "Only a Fool," the most tender song on the set, offers the range of Hunters signing and arranging abilities, displaying his peerless writing chops and piercing lyrics. Those whove paid attention to the JH6 understand the depth and commitment they have to the music and one another. On Off the Fence, Hunters crew display their richest stylistic and rhythmic varieties to date in songs that stimulate the body and resonate in the heart. ~ Thom Jurek