Jamie Lidell // Building a Beginning

Jamie Lidell

Building a Beginning

Jajulin Records

4.5/5 stars

If the circle of life could be pressed to vinyl and spun on a record player, *Building a Beginning would be the result. Jamie Lidell's seventh LP signals a renewal of purpose for the versatile English singer on three fronts: personal (recent fatherhood), professional (this is his first album on his own label after years with Warp Records), and musical. Stylistically, the album most resembles the throwback soul of his earliest efforts, but noticeably more focused. On past projects, Lidell's love of gadgetry and tinkering could at times detract from his greatest asset: his voice, which is undoubtedly the driving force behind this set (listen to "Believe In Me" if you don't believe me). Gospel ("I Like To Make You Smile," "Motionless") and Motown soul (the bouncy "Julian" funks like the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder's fingerprints are all over the slinking, jazzy lead single "Walk Right Back") provide the framework here, and it certainly seems Lidell has built a strong new foundation. - Matt Swanseger