The James Hunter Six releasing ‘Nick of Time,’ touring (stream a track)
Long-running British soul revivalist James Hunter is releasing a new James Hunter Six album, Nick of Time, on March 6 via Daptone. It was recorded and produced by Dap-Kings member and Daptone co-founder Bosco Mann, and the opening track and lead single is "I Can Change Your Mind," which premieres in this post. It's fueled by a nasty horn line that you could picture on a Screamin' Jay Hawkins record, which is a perfect fit for James Hunter's timeless rasp, and all the grit is balanced out by tender, Motown-style backing harmonies. Here's what James tells us about it:
I rehearsed the horn parts with Freddy DeBoe and Michael Buckley in Pismo Beach while we were on tour leading up to the recording of Nick Of Time, in the smallest motel room I've ever seen. You had to open the door to get out of bed. We had to keep the noise to a minimum in case the amiable, but officious, motel proprietor turfed us out. The tip-toeing baritone sax intro I wrote for Mike seemed to fit the clandestine atmosphere. 'I Can Change Your Mind’ can also be heard as a more confrontational cousin to the title track from my 2006 album, 'People Gonna Talk.’ This time around though, the protagonist is already fighting for his love life instead of anticipating resistance. Interestingly, the narrator admits to being a 'one-eyed jack' shortly before cautioning his loved one against 'two-faced creeps.’
Listen below.
The James Hunter Six will also be on tour in 2020, including a NYC show on April 1 at City Winery. Tickets for that show will be on sale soon. All dates are listed below.
The James Hunter Six -- 2020 Tour Dates
Thursday, March 26 - City Winery - Boston, MA
Friday, March 27 - Narrows Center for the Arts - Fall River, MA
Saturday, March 28 - Daryl's House - Pawling, NY
Sunday, March 29 - StageOne at FTC - Fairfield, CT
Wednesday, April 1 - City Winery - New York, NY
Thursday, April 2 - Sellersville Theater - Sellersville, PA
Friday, April 3 - City Winery - Washington DC
Saturday, April 4 - The Paramount Theater - Burlington, NC
Monday, April 6 - Neighborhood Theater - Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, April 8 - Franklin Theatre - Franklin, TN
Thursday, April 9 - City Winery - Chicago, IL
Friday, April 10 - The Dakota - Minnesota, MN
Saturday, April 11 - The Dakota - Minneapolis, MN
Monday, April 13 - Antone’s - Austin, TX
Thursday, April 16 - Echo - Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, April 18 - Cornerstone - Berkeley, CA
Sunday, April 19 - Harlow’s - Sacramento, CA