This sublime fifth album by the soul singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Memphis, Tennessee includes a guest appearance by the legendary Carla Thomas. With tinges of blues, folk and country in her music, what is striking about June’s voice is it has a quality akin to the saxophone, a nasality that is bright but also bluesy, and a tendency to lengthen vowels that is not that R&B cliche, but something far freer and more expressive, comparable to that of Van Morrison, particularly in his 1970s prime. Excellent opening song Stay was previously highlighted on our New Songs section, but other standouts include the dynamically surging You And I, Colors, and Stardust Scattering, which lyrically echoes late-60s psych with lines such as “Merrily life is but a dream/Consciousness directs the stream”. Carla Thomas invokes presence on the short track African Proverb, and then on Call Me A Fool, with the slow building strings and horns, the two singers sound like a mother and daughter with a dash of Otis Redding. Valerie June is co-producer on this album, and one key feature is the unison overdub of her voice adds extra power. Fallin’ is another striking track, but perhaps even better is Smile, while oddly begins with a dash of tinny drum machine, bells, gentle soul, then building into a wonderful stax-type classic, and later the beautifully uplifting Why The Bright Stars Glow where alongside gliding strings and piano, June again intertwines with her own backing vocals. A modern classic, evocative and moving, summoning memories of blissful summer days. Out on June Tunes / Fantasy Records, and on Bandcamp.
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