Until I heard "Down Here in Hell with You" from multi-instrumentalist Van Hunt's 2004 self-titled album.
What impressed me most about the track is that it's homage without imitation. It's as if Hunt distilled each of those influences into some brand new intoxicating spirit.
It's also an incredibly smart song that examines the inner workings of a dysfunctional relationship, where neither the protagonist nor his girlfriend are satisfied unless they're making each other a little bit miserable. (Yeah, it's psychologically deeper than 99% of your run-of-the-mill, modern R&B fare.)
Hunt also handles all of the vocals and plays most of the instruments himself, too, including the track's distinctive bassline, which grinds and gulps its way around the song's strategically placed flashes of Mellotron flute and funky electric guitar.
It amazes me with that kind of depth and talent that the guy got unceremoniously dropped from his label, Blue Note, in 2007. Story goes, he and Blue Note had a mutual breakup. But, in reality, they shafted him by refusing to release his critically-praised, funk-rock tinged third album, Popular, and then set the price so high on the master tapes that he couldn't afford to buy them back. (Shady.)
Although, being dropped from their roster has freed him up to explore whole new dimensions of music as an independent artist without being pigeonholed as "an R&B act." In fact, his newest stuff completely defies categorization: it's still rooted in soul and funk, but there are textures of everything from punk to New Wave in the mix. His melodies also twist and turn in ways now that might take your ear two or three listens before it really locks into the groove. But it's rewarding music if given a chance.
Definitely check Hunt out if you're unfamiliar with his work. You'll be a fan for life.
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