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JUKEBOX NOTES 10 Questions for Van Hunt and Newcomer Iman
Van Hunt Releases EP in Anticipation of Album Release in Early 08’
Rock's soul child, songwriter Van Hunt, is back on the scene with a few more minutes of pleasure for us with the release of his Popular EP.
While his next full-length album isn't scheduled to be released until January 2008 on Blue Note Recordings, Van is giving his fans an early preview of what's to come and proving once again that good music comes from the soul.
The Popular EP includes tracks such as "The Lowest 1 of My Desires," which is Van's way of making it clear that sex is not as simple as we have been told, but uses a funky guitar line and pleading vocals to make us want it more.
"Character," an acoustic version of the same song from his last album On The Jungle Floor, has a simple but beautiful beat that details how in tough times true character shines through, while "Feelings" fills the air with the electrifying singer's deep soul.
Van says that Popular is meant to disrupt a little bit, and like any talented artists he has created a disruption that hits you just in the right place.
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TEN QUESTIONS FOR VAN HUNT
Let's get right to it. Why did we have to wait so long for new music from you?
I didn't think it was that long. On the Jungle Floor ran its pattern and at the end of the day, it was time to do another record. The album has been done. The delay was mostly in part to Capitol merging with Virgin and then me moving over to Blue Note.
How's everything going with Blue Note?
Fantastic. Blue Note has a magnificent history. They've been completely supportive and have left me alone to do what I want with the album.
What inspired the new album?
I stopped listening to the radio and just focused on my son, my piano, and my love life.
What's your favorite track on the new album Popular?
The Lowest 1 Of My Desires. It captures intimacy in a way that no other song I've heard has been able to do.
…Favorite song of all your albums?
Bits and Pieces off of the new album. It's a completely new way of writing for the modern pop era using a classical approach with a soulful vocal on top of lyrics that are unique to me. I think it's the future of music.
Who are your musical influences?
Me, Sly, Fela Kuti, and George Benson.
If you could record a song with anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Charlie Parker
What's your take on today's music industry?
So little of it I admire. It doesn't inspire me. But I really don't pay it that much attention, I'm just glad to be in the position I am where I can pay my bills and take care of my son.
Any thoughts on the campaign to curb the use of the "B," "H," and "N" words in music?
I think it's dangerous to ask a recording artist about social issues. It's all frivolous. With all of the issues that Black people have I wouldn't start with language. We've suffered hundreds of years of violations as Black people, and we want to pick on language?
Last words?
I had a ball creating the album and I hope people go out and buy it.
Van Hunt is scheduled to perform Thursday, August 23, 2007 in Santa Monica, California at the Temple Bar. For show information, please visit www.templebarlive.com.
The Popular EP is available now in stores or via iTunes.
London's Soulstress Iman
Iman is like a breathe of fresh air that America ain't ready for. I first became hip to Iman last year when I got my hands on an advanced copy of Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Bubblers compilation.
Her track on the compilation (No. 8) "Who Was I Trying to Fool" quickly became one of my favorite tunes.
I did my homework, as I always do, and was able to connect with the 23 year-old her on Myspace.com which eventually led to us getting together over the phone. In the interim, she sent me her demo album and it was on.
All I have to say is that while I'm a little late in bringing the good news to ya, ya'll ain't ready.
Her sound is a cross between Jill Scott, Amy Winehouse, sprinkled with a bit of the pre hip-hop Nelly Furtado.
Her lyrics are well written and fresh. "Who Was I Trying to Fool," speaks of the sad realization that you can't make someone change their ways and sooner or later reality sets in. Her demo album shows off her song writing and vocal flexibility, from the sexy acoustic tracks "Owning Me" and "I Don't Know" to the jazzy and sultry tunes "Tell Me" and "If I Knew How to Tell You."
While there are no immediate plans for Iman here in the States, with any luck it's only a matter of time before she becomes the next British sensation taking over our airwaves.
Get ready and remember where you heard it first!
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Iman
TEN QUESTIONS FOR IMAN
So who is Iman?
I'm part Sudanese on my father's side and Yemini on my mother's side. I have one brother. I was never allowed to go to school for singing. I started trying to break into the business at sixteen.
Someone helped me get a demo together and with two songs I started approaching other producers. Since my demo's been completed I have been approaching bigger producers.
My parent's can't believe how far I've come. I show them articles and they're in shock but I'm still an unsigned artist so I work part time
It's like climbing the mountain literally.
What to date has been your biggest accomplishment?
I won a national music award out of 2000 people in outstanding achievement in song writing for an unsigned artist. Also getting down to the last three out of thousands in a Diesel U -Music competition.
So how did you end up on a Gilles Peterson compilation?
Through Yam Who who has done official remixes for Jill Scott, John Legend, Joss Stone, and Pharrell Williams. They played it for Gilles and he said I'll have it. And that's how that happened.
Who have you worked with?
I've written for Incognito, Galliano, Shep Soloman and written for an Italian artist named Kelly---she's well known in France and Italy.
I've opened for Omar, with my own band and played at London Jazz Festival's Ladies Unplugged alongside Shola Ama and Keisha White.
So you sing and write your own songs?
Yes. My songs are like my babies. Hand in hand. Don't see myself singing other people's songs I'd have to really be feeling it or it would just be like karaoke for me.
Musical inspirations?
Nas, Prince, Just Jack, Kate Nash, Wiley and strong independent females like Jill Scott, Indie.Arie, and Lauryn Hill.
Whose hot in the UK right now?
Corrine Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, Kate Nash,Lily Allen, and The Arctic Monkeys. Really great music is coming through right now.
Who do you want to work most with?
Salaam Remi would be a dream come true.
What's next for Iman?
I am going to continue believing in myself. I believe my time will come. I've been doing this for seven years now.
Last words?
Believe in yourself.
Iman's single Who Was I Trying to Fool is available on iTunes.com.
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Upcoming Releases of Note
Ledisi with Lost in Found out August 28th
Little Brother with Getback out September 25th
Jill Scott with The Real Thing out September 25th
When she's not surfing the Internet, Jasmyne Cannick works in the world of politics doing something very top secret that is very boring by day and is a freelance writer and editor by night where she's successfully managed to blend the worlds of pop culture, hip-hop, and politics through her writings. She's so sick and tired of the music on the radio that she writes a weekly music column entitled Jukebox Joints featuring hip-hop, electronic, and soul R&B artists that she hopes will break people of their monotonous routines of supporting artists who in her opinion have no talent. Check her out at www.jasmynecannick.com.
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