Mathew E. White – Fresh Blood

Fresh Blood is suffering from the same problem as Father John Misty’s I Love You, Honeybear – it follows a masterpiece debut.  White’s 2012 Big Inner was an amazing LP and was on my best of 2012.

White is a pop musician whose work evokes Stevie Wonder, Self Portrait era Dylan, Brian Wilson and the the A team of Atlantic Records (Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin).  His arrangements drip of the late 60s and early 70s pop: rock instruments with strings and horns. 

It is so refreshing in the hip hop era to have lush organic arrangements. White leverages his Spacebomb Records crew (Richmond, Virginia) which includes real instruments and vocalists.  

Fresh Blood is a nice sequel to Big Inner. If you are a baby boomer you will have a sentimental smile as White evokes the pop symphonies of Motown and Memphis. If you are younger you will be treated to some wonderfully warm music (think Bon Iver without the computers). Pure ear candy.  Love this LP.