NATE WILLIAMS – Got To Let Go (2014)
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“Got To Let Go“, the debut album from British musician / singer NATE WILLIAMS is one of these delicious dishes that time to time I have the pleasure to review.
Attention fans of State Cows, Stefan Gunnarsson, Jay Graydon, Chris Antbland, etc… this is for you.
The very young yet talented Nate Williams (not to be confused with the veteran indie American artist of the same name) hails from a Welsh village in UK, and certainly delivers the goods on his debut album “Got To Let Go”, a disc filled with a deep groove, musicianship and emotion throwing together smooth glides, funky grinds, animated breakdowns and whip-smart vocal harmonies.
At first listen, I was spellbound at the maturity and quality of his sound and musicianship at such a young age.
The formally trained Nate is the complete package: he can write, virtually play any instrument here (bass, guitar, keyboards, drums, horns), and can sing, to say the least. And he sings really, really well.
“Got To Let Go” delivers 13 tracks that have smooth West Coast, Funk, R&B & Soul sprinkled all over them to create a truly unique sound.
I hear shades of Airplay (Jay Graydon) in the awesome “Seven Years”, something recently done by State Cows and even Swedes Houston, while the monster bass-groove and rhythm guitars of “Infatuated” will bring to you mind Jay Graydon’s Planet 3.
‘Groove’ is a term that perfectly describes this album. Not in vain Williams’ twitter account is ‘@nategroove’. The man plays incredible bass lines, believe me. There’s some tracks combining super R&B (very smooth), others power-funk, others all together, as in the best L.A. Session days used to be.
However, the drums and percussion are chiefly electronic, but Nate’s addition of vintage keyboards like Fender Rhodes, jumping rhythm guitars and soulful vocals make up for a really early ’80s feeling.
The tender vocal delivery and lush panache of the production make “Got To Let Go” fresh and inviting at every turn, and, in a handful of places, downright filthy. The performances, arrangements and production on the record are a study in measured restraint, although Williams showcases serious vocal and harmonic chops all over the place.
He reveals facility and taste in equal measure in occasional keyboard solos, with drumming and bass playing throughout that are as funky & smooth as anything, ever (as well as writing, arranging and producing his album, Williams plays all the instruments too).
Fans of the aforementioned artists above need to check this album now. That is; lovers of the smoothest side of the West Coast music, but also soul, funk and everything related. Nate Williams packs it all in to one wonderful collection.
Highly Recommended.
01 – Best Friend
02 – Seven Years
03 – Wait (You Did)
04 – Infatuated
05 – Show Me
06 – Just For Tonight
07 – D.T.M.B. (feat. Vula)
08 – Don’t Wann Talk About It
09 – Big Screen Love (feat. Amy True)
10 – Not My Problem
11 – Miss You
12 – Got To Let Go
13 – Flatlined
BUY IT !
www.pledgemusic.com/projects/natewilliams/
itunes.apple.com/us/album/got-to-let-go/id920158959
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