Van Hunt: Renaissance Man

[vashti1999]

If you're young, gifted and black, you'd better rap, sing simple R&B or at least confine yourself to a single genre.

Musician Van Hunt doesn't do any of those things. And that has made his career, by his own assessment, "a tough sell. On radio, it's an uphill battle that's almost impossible to climb," he says.

Yet, in 2004, Van Hunt's self-titled debut did manage to garner a Grammy bid - if in the ill-defined category "Best Urban/Alternative Performance." Hunt also became one of the most critically admired new artists of that year and sold a decent 150,000 copies of his debut, according to SoundScan.

Now, the singer is set to release his second CD, the terrific "On the Jungle Floor" (in stores April 4). This time he's hoping that developing technology will spread the word about his work to more than just tastemakers and the cognoscenti. "These days, more people can listen to me online somewhere - on satellite radio or on Web sites," he explains. "It's not like you have to get on the radio or else."

Of course, a periodic string of black artists have managed to buck stereotypes and enjoy brilliant careers - among them Prince, Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, LaBelle and the Isley Brothers - even if most of those stars broke through between 20 and 30 years ago.

With his mix of rock, soul, funk and pop, Hunt has most often been called "the new Prince," a comparison he describes as "lovely."

Yet several tracks from "On the Jungle Floor" take clearer influence from the Isley Brothers' smooth mix of hard-rock guitar and soul vocals. Hunt's connection to the Isleys' music makes sense: The older band hailed from Cincinnati, sister town to Hunt's birthplace of Dayton. In fact, southern Ohio holds an important place in the history of funk, having produced Bootsy Collins, Slave, Zapp and, of course, the Ohio Players.

Hunt has a theory for the area's soul bounty. "There's nothing to do there," he says. "You could get into sports, or get lucky and go off to school, or get a job in the factories - at least when there were factories there. Or you can play music. It was born out of that."

As a kid, Hunt found himself influenced by all kinds of music. From his mom, he heard mainstream pop artists like James Taylor. From his dad, he learned jazz. The latter greatly affected the tunesmanship on Hunt's latest CD.

"Two of the strongest senses of simple melody in jazz come from Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington," he explains. "I was always able to write a song in their quirky, jump piano style."

Hunt also considers himself a significant hip-hop fan - if only of the brand produced between 1977 and 1994. "After that," he says, "it became just a product on a shelf. You grab one, and they put another out there that looks just like it."

Ironically, Hunt says his taste and musicianship expanded greatly through hanging out with hip-hop deejays.

"They're some of the best connoisseurs of music," he explains. "They listen to everything" to find samples.

Since the guys he hung around with all rapped or deejayed - and since he wasn't interested in doing either - Hunt wound up developing his skill on a host of instruments. On both his albums, Hunt plays many of the guitar, bass, drum and keyboard parts himself.

Hunt's career began to develop after he moved to Atlanta to attend school at Morehouse College. There, he started writing for alterna-soul artists like Joi and Raphael Saadiq. Soon, he also developed a relationship with Randy Jackson (yes, the guy from "American Idol"). At that time, Jackson served as an A&R man at Columbia Records. Hunt wrote songs for a briefly famous artist on the label, Dionne Farris. Later, Jackson became Hunt's manager, a role he retains to this day.

The new CD, overseen by Bill Bottrell, features an even more sophisticated and open-minded approach than Hunt's debut. There are hard-rock tracks, soul forays and even a cover of Iggy Pop's obscure "No Sense of Crime."

Hunt's lyrics also stand out. Many address the pantomimes and illusions of relationships, laced with a literate quality. Hunt beleives African-American stars often feel inhibited about writing this way. "If you're black, people expect you to talk in a certain kind of way," Hunt explains. "But I'm an educated person, and I put that in my writing. There was a time, during the Harlem Renaissance, when seeing educated black musicians was a popular thing to do."

While Hunt acknowledges that various factors have impeded that progress in the time since, he feels things are starting to turn around. "The underground is actually starting to bubble over," he asserts. "New ideas, like with any revolution, just take time."

Originally published on March 19, 2006 - Jim Farber, New York Daily News

[Jrnygrl]

OMG Vash, I was just going to PM you about VH. I was wondering when his second CD was going to be released. I personally have been trying to spread the word about how good his music is. I always mention Van's name when people say they are looking for some new music.

I really like him, this interview really makes me like him even more. I can really relate to what he says about music. I think its cool that he digs Iggy Pop enough to do one of his songs.

I still am trying to figure out why John Legend is more popular than Van Hunt.

Anywho, thanks for the post!!

[vashti1999]

Originally Posted by Jrnygrl

OMG Vash, I was just going to PM you about VH. I was wondering when his second CD was going to be released. I personally have been trying to spread the word about how good his music is. I always mention Van's name when people say they are looking for some new music.

I really like him, this interview really makes me like him even more. I can really relate to what he says about music. I think its cool that he digs Iggy Pop enough to do one of his songs.

I still am trying to figure out why John Legend is more popular than Van Hunt.

Anywho, thanks for the post!!

Anytime Jrnygrl. I'm trying to spread the word also.

I liked Dust and Hold My Hand alot, so I'm looking forward to seeing him do more rock flavored tunes. Have you heard his new single "Character" yet? It's on his website and his myspace.com page. It's groovin'.

[vashti1999]

They've actually updated Van's website since the last time I checked it. You can hear audio of five of the songs from his new album. They've also posted a tracklist:

ON THE JUNGLE FLOOR
In Stores April 4, 2006
Capitol Records

1. If I Take You Home
2. Hot Stage Lights
3. Daredevil, Baby
4. Ride, Ride, Ride
5. Being A Girl
6. Suspicion
7. Mean Sleep
8. Priest or Police
9. Character
10. No Sense of Crime
11. At The End of A Slow Dance
12. The Thrill of This Love
13. Hole in My Heart
14. The Night Is Young

Recognizing a title from the list, I just found out that Van co-wrote the song Mean Sleep, originally recorded by Cree Summer and Lenny Kravitz, so I'm expecting Van's version to be hot.

[Jrnygrl]

Dust is one of my favorites, What Can I Say is another one I love.

I will check out his website. I used to get updates. I guess I have to go and re-register. I didn't know he had a myspace, I will check that out to. Thanks for the track list, I didn't know he co-wrote Mean Sleep.

I have to ask, what do you think of the Prince comparison??? I think he is a mix of Mayfield, Sly and Prince.

[vashti1999]

Originally Posted by Jrnygrl

I have to ask, what do you think of the Prince comparison??? I think he is a mix of Mayfield, Sly and Prince.

I think it's cool. There are some songs from Van I listen to and I can picture/hear Prince singing them, especially the part on "Your Love Is The Greatest Drug" when he sings "I can hear, you my dear, whisper in my ear." But you're right, he's more of a mix of the artists you mentioned.

[vashti1999]

Van Hunt will be performing "Character" on The Tavis Smiley Show TONIGHT!!

The Show airs at 11:00 pm on PBS. Check local listings for more details!

[Jrnygrl]

Originally Posted by vashti1999

Van Hunt will be performing "Character" on The Tavis Smiley Show TONIGHT!!

The Show airs at 11:00 pm on PBS. Check local listings for more details!

Thanks for the post, will try to watch!

[vashti1999]

Originally Posted by Jrnygrl

Thanks for the post, will try to watch!

It just aired here in New York. There was a brief interview segment before the acoustic performance of Character. Van's a cool dude.

Don't forget, he's also supposed to be on the Tonight Show later this week.

[vashti1999]

Thirty minutes worth of streaming video of a Van performance and interview at radio station KCRW HERE.

[Jrnygrl]

Originally Posted by vashti1999

Thirty minutes worth of streaming video of a Van performance and interview at radio station KCRW HERE.

Thanks Vash!!!! I appreciate the updates!!!!

[vashti1999]

Originally Posted by Jrnygrl

Thanks Vash!!!! I appreciate the updates!!!!

Anytime Jrnygrl. By the way, have you picked up the cd yet? What's your favorite track?

[Jrnygrl]

Originally Posted by vashti1999

Anytime Jrnygrl. By the way, have you picked up the cd yet? What's your favorite track?

Hey Vash! Yeah got it, but I haven't really had a chance to sit down except for Character, which I like. I also listened to "Mean Sleep" with Nikka Costa, who I love, but I don't really like the duet with Van. Maybe I need to listen a little more before deciding.

I like your avatar!!!!!!

[SBTB Geek]

I downloaded his album the other day, and I can't say that I liked it. :\

[Jrnygrl]

Originally Posted by SBTB Geek

I downloaded his album the other day, and I can't say that I liked it. :\

Yeah, unfortunately I am a huge fan of Van Hunt's but this CD I can't get into. I think this may be his sophomore jinx. I guess it needs to grow on me.