Jamie Lidell - Compass

There’s something about Jamie Lidell’s music that appeases everyone’s musical needs. His blend of electro-soul with tinges of funk, rock, and pop by all rights shouldn’t work, yet Lidell consistently pulls hits out of the mix. On his fourth record Compass, Lidell sheds a bit of the pop sheen of his last record Jim, building walls of thick guitar and electro fuzz with sprinkles of bright percussion, woodwinds, and horns. Those looking for the clean, sunshine melodies of Jim won’t find them on Compass. What will be found instead is a smoother, refined version of Lidell; more mature but with just enough kick to make you bust a move, or two. Tracks like “The Ring” and “Your Sweet Boom” boast layers of beautifully produced instrumentation: bumpin’ beats and bass, peepin’ riffs, and underneath it all, Lidell’s undeniably soulful voice. Desert-ballad “Big Drift” is a slow-burning standout, lifted by the addition of guest Leslie Feist’s hypnotic coos. There are a few tracks on the album that fail to launch completely (for example, “I Wanna Be Your Telephone”) but the pros outweigh the cons here and although it may take multiple listens before getting accustomed to the new direction Lidell’s taken, Compass is worth the extra effort.

For more Jamie Lidell,
Website: http://jamielidell.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jamielidell