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| Van Hunt's 'On The Jungle Floor' Scheduled for April 4th Release On April 4th, Capitol Records will release Van Hunt's "On The Jungle Floor, " the follow-up to his self-titled debut album. Hunt, who is currently nominated for a Grammy award for "Best Urban/Alternative Performance, " will perform with an all-star group that includes Maroon 5, Will.I.Am of The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and Joss Stone in the Grammy Awards' tribute to Sly And The Family Stone. Where 2004's "Van Hunt" introduced the Dayton-born singer/songwriter's organic brew of rock-laced R&B, "On The Jungle Floor" adds funkier, freakier flavors that recall influences as disparate as the Isley Brothers, the Smiths, Rick James and the Stooges. (Hunt, in fact, includes a blistering, blues-drenched cover of the Stooges "No Sense of Crime" on the album.) Bill Bottrell (Madonna, Michael Jackson) co-produced "On The Jungle Floor" with Hunt, who once again wrote, arranged and performed most of the songs himself. Van Hunt's first album was one of the most acclaimed pop debuts in recent years. The New York Times described it as "the perfect soundtrack for any seduction" while Rolling Stone simply stated that with the release of Van Hunt, "the bar has been raised." Artists including Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Joss Stone and Adam Clayton of U2 sang his praises and Hunt performed on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien, " "The Ellen DeGeneres Show, " "The Tavis Smiley Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Touring both as a headliner and opening for such artists as Coldplay, Kanye West and Seal, he earned a reputation as a master performer. In advance of his forthcoming tour, Hunt recently previewed material from the new album at the Sundance Film Festival. In a world of overproduced, overstylized R&B and pop records, Hunt has learned the merits of keeping his music raw and direct. "All you can do is try to find the best representation of a song, " he says. "I want to maintain the spontaneity, and make sure that the spark that was there at the outset is still shining." With "On The Jungle Floor, " Van Hunt sets those sparks flying. Track Listing -- Van Hunt's "On The Jungle Floor" 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 write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |