Album: Bobby Womack, The Bravest Man in the Universe (XL)

4.00

Bobby dazzles as he returns to his gospel roots

As one of the great individual stylists of Seventies soul music, Bobby Womack has been unaccountably silent for too many decades now.

Once, his sermonising style anatomising the knots and pitfalls of relationships offered a thoughtful counterpoint to the more physical leanings of the funk era; but its reflective nature long since slipped out of favour with black music's increasingly functional dancefloor priorities. So kudos to XL's Richard Russell for reprising the refurbishment process he applied to Gil Scott-Heron, and for finding the right collaborator in Damon Albarn.

Eschewing the psychedelic-funk arrangements of Womack's heyday, Russell and Albarn have opted for sparse electro grooves, the better to focus attention squarely on the singer's sepia timbre. The title-track opens proceedings with that voice naked save for a sombre cello, Womack opining that "the bravest man in the universe is the one who has forgiven first", a customary slice of gospel wisdom, before a skeletal electro pattern kicks in, shaded by hints of piano, acoustic guitar and strings. The formula continues for "Please Forgive My Heart", where spare piano chords and stuttery synth beats accompany his evocative plaint that "it feels like the sky is falling, and the clouds are closing in".

The same few elements are juggled variously throughout the album, with variety provided by Lana Del Ray and Fatoumata Diawara duetting on "Dayglo Reflection" and "Nothin' Can Save Ya" respectively. His lyrical themes remain constant: hope and shame, guilt and faith. And always audible are his roots in gospel. On "Love Is Gonna Lift You Up", you can all but hear the swaying choir absent from the chorus, while the concluding "Jubilee" harnesses the spiritual standard "Don't Let Nobody Turn You Round" to a pounding electro pulse – over which Bobby finally gets to do a little of his old-school sermonising. It's been a long time coming, and all the more welcome for it.

Download: The Bravest Man in the Universe; Please Forgive My Heart; Whatever Happened to the Times; Jubilee

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Arts & Ents blogs

Children’s Books: Recommended read – ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness

Thirteen-year-old Conor awakes in bed one night to discover that the yew tree outside his house has ...

Made in Chelsea – Series 5, Episode 11: Louise plays and wins at Spencer’s game

It’s hard not to feel sorry for doe-eyed Andy. He spends months pining after Louise, has huge nostr...

The Returned: ‘Simon’ – Series 1, episode 2

Fragility of life looms large over an episode that closes with the scarring on Julie's stomach. Whil...

       
 

ES Rentals

    Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

    Babies behind bars

    A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
    Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

    Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

    Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
    The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

    The art of living in small spaces

    Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
    Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

    The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

    After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
    Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

    Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

    A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
    Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

    'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

    It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
    The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

    Can technology lure us back to the high street?

    The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
    The 10 Best new smartphones

    The 10 Best new smartphones

    Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
    Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

    Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

    McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
    James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

    James Lawton

    Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
    'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

    The true effect of the badger cull

    'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
    Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

    First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

    Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
    Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

    Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

    After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
    Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

    Steve Tongue

    Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
    Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

    Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

    Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over