Benny Sings – Best of Three review

Artist: Benny Sings
Title: Best of Three
Label: Sonar Kollektiv
Genre: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Format: Digital
Buy From: Juno Download

An unexpected treat from Sonar Kollektiv, who have brought together the best of Dutchman Benny Sings’ three albums for this introductory compilation. Shaggy haired and with an almost ridiculous stage name, you might be forgiven for thinking Benny Sings is simply a novelty.

But there’s so much fresh soul flavour to his tunes that it’s criminal he hasn’t had more exposure beyond his native Holland before now – something this collection seeks to remedy.

Reminiscent of the soft velvety vocals of Bobby Caldwell, combined with the jazz-inflected pop of Steely Dan, there genuinely isn’t a duffer among these 17 tracks. For Your Love has an R&B tempo broken beat underpinning some sweet piano chords, coupled with Benny’s sublime multi-tracked vocals. Unconditional Love is even fuller and brighter, with the same swing as Sly and the Family Stone’s Family Affair. Little Donna is a little more bubblegum and syrupy than the rest, but it’s still a charming and effortless song that’s bound to elicit smiles and swaying hips from even the staunchest listener. Fans of Jamie Lidell and any of the original blue-eyed soul singers of the seventies will adore this – let’s hope Benny Sings reaches the audience he richly deserves with this compilation.

Review: Oliver Keens