Artist: Michael Kiwanuka

Album: Home Again

What’s better than Otis Redding, Terry Callier, Richie Havens and Curtis Mayfield? Oh, you don’t know? The answer is the modern-day version of all of them combined! This guy is absolutely an echo of the greats. I’m in love with him. I’m not saying he is better than the soul/jazz/Motown greats, but damn he is gooooooood. It’s Michael Kiwanuka!

If you didn’t know any better, you would think Home Again is an old LP Straight out of Motown Records’ studio. I don’t think I will ever tire of this retro-style coming back. I love the idea of our generation and the next keeping alive the style of music I have always identified with. To find music this pure, though, is next to impossible.

I think Mr. Kiwanuka put it best when he first started recording:

“No one would give me a gig playing the kind of music I loved, so I had to write my own. It was more to keep my passion in music alive, just something to do to keep my soul warm, you know. It didn’t fit into what was in the charts at the time!”

At the young age of 24, this man sings with the veracity and conviction of someone twice his age. His soulful lyrics and seasoned voice still leave me in awe.

Each track on Home Again courses through your body and triggers depth and attention to every verse. From time to time, Kiwanuka experiments with a slightly modern sound but it doesn’t catch as quickly; it isn’t until he gets back to the old-school style when you can really hear his passion come alive. Each plucky, gritty moment his voice resonates actually feels like home.

For the most part, this album is a folky twang but somehow Michael finely blends soul and jazz into this beautiful portrait of yearning and love. If it was his goal to channel the greats through his music ingenuity, then he succeeded. I adore that his songs make me feel loved and whole, and then in a moment make my heart hurt and pine, only to bring me back again. For that, I give Home Again 10 amorous kisses out of 10!

If you like what you read or heard, then check out his page and give him some due credit! Until next time, won’t you find some music to love?