Quite possibly one of
the most slept on vocalists of the past ten years, Anthony Hamilton is a guy
who makes music from the heart for the heart. With his two official studio albums
(Comin’ From Where I’m From and Ain’t Nobody
Worryin’
) offering a vintage outlook with a new age twist,soul music found a new hero,.
While there have been
tasters in the form of Soulife and Southern Comfort,
the anticipation for another official Anthony Hamilton LP has been enough to
send the real soul heads off to rehab. Well it’s time to draft up the release
papers for those incarcerated because The Point Of It All (Sony/So So Def) is
here and is as close to perfection as today’s ungratefully hard-to-please
audience will allow.
On “The News,” an
inspirational piano lick is absorbed by an overtly funky drum riff, giving an
up close and personal education on some ill street blues. Immediately following
this darkened gem is the David Banner featured “Cool.” While not actually
produced by the Mississippi mad man, his feel-good bars compliment Hamilton’s
sincere attempt at informing his lady that as long as she’s cool, nothing can
put a dampener on their relationship.
Slowing things down,
“Diamond In The Rough”, with its heart-warming hook, is actually a diamond in a
jewelry store; there are no surprises here. The contents of The Point Of It
All are of the highest quality so there’s no reason to
look hard for a gem. “Soul’s On Fire” has an epic build-up in a musically
cinematic kind of way. Hamilton’s painful lyrics—depicting him having
difficulty breathing because his soul is on fire – embeds a play-by-play
set of image stills in your brain.
There really was no need
to worry about Hamilton delivering the goods because even his unofficial
releases hold more credibility and swagger than most other artists’ official
releases. Just be sure to pick this up for your lady this Christmas and
guaranteed she’ll be thanking you until the next.
