The James Hunter Six perform in The Current studio
by Bill DeVille and The James Hunter Six
May 16, 2016
The James Hunter Six have been together for more than two decades; when one of them puts down a riff, the others pick up on it, expand on it and continue the riff … and that's just their in-studio banter.
It's obvious Hunter and his friends enjoy one another's company, and that chemistry naturally shines through in their music. "I'll construct the basic skeleton of the arrangements," Hunter says. "They'll often take what I've done and improve it; they'll add little suggestions and add some bits and take some bits away, so it is quite a team effort."
The fruits of the James Hunter Six's collective labor are in full effect on the band's recent album, Hold On!, released on the Daptone label. In the middle of a two-night stand at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant in Minneapolis, the James Hunter Six visited The Current's studio for a session hosted by Bill DeVille.
Hunter's signing to Daptone Records seems a common-sense fit; another Daptone artist, Sharon Jones, has even said she'd like to perform a duet with Hunter. "I don't know if I could keep up with her, but I'll have a crack at it," Hunter says. "She's brilliant."
Being signed to Daptone is in line with Hunter's musical style and pedigree; he originally got hooked on the '60s-inflected soul sound during its U.K. resurgence in the late 1980s, a period during which a number of soul classics were being re-released. Perhaps influenced by the sounds of those earlier records, the James Hunter Six released Hold On! in mono. "I think that stereo is a bit of an overhang from the prog days — I think stereo is a bit retro!" Hunter quips, adding in earnest, "You can get as much dynamism in mono [as in stereo] … It's got the effect that everything is right up front."
All the efforts have served the band well, and Hunter was even named Best U.K. Soul Singer by Mojo magazine. "It would be a bit churlish to disagree," Hunter laughs, clearly flattered by the honor.
Listen to the complete interview to hear more from James Hunter, including his effects-free approach to playing electric guitar; the hair-raising origin of the song name, "Satchel Foot"; the influence of the Five Royales; and more of the James Hunter Six's laughter-filled studio chatter.
Songs Performed
"If That Don't Tell You"
"Satchel Foot"
"(Baby) Hold On"
All songs from the James Hunter Six's 2016 album, Hold On!, available on Daptone Records.
Hosted by Bill DeVille
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael Demark, Sasha Druva and Erik Stromstad
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Luke Taylor
