Released in 2010 Good Things is something of a sleeper as it has gained traction and no wonder. It’s a soulful, funk infused excursion that owes a lot to the seventies with strong songs and what a voice!!!
Aloe Blacc’s is an interesting story. Born Nathaniel Dawkins III, he started his musical career as a hip hop artist. In fact he still is one – along with DJ Exile they call themselves Emanon but with his single, ‘I Need A Dollar,’[from his second solo album – Good Things] blowing up in recession hit America, I’m not sure how much time he’ll have for the rap thing. You see Aloe decided to explore his soul roots and thus a soul superstar was born. Stones Throw records have released some stellar albums in their time but this one is right up there with their best. Blacc’s songs are a curious mix of bluesy soul and funk and each composition is quite different, yet the album sustains a wonderfully cohesive bond throughout brought on by 2 key elements; Aloe Blacc can really sing [in a Bill Withers kinda way] and the compositions, albeit quite straight up 70’s soul/funk in many ways, all have some subtly clever arrangements to make it a well timed release and a very good one at that.
Rating : 4/5 – Rocking
Reviewed By : Dave Mac
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