We introduced Jamie N Commons back in 2011 and described him back then as taking influences from “Blues, Gospel, Swamp Rock and Big Band to produce music that sits neatly alongside the desolation row of Cash, Waits and Cave.” You may want to add Jack White to that list after hearing the title track from his new EP ‘Rumble and Sway’. He has signed a record deal with Grammy Award winning producer Alex Da Kid’s (Eminem/Rihanna) Interscope imprint KIDinaKORNER and, after working in LA at Westlake Studios, has been inspired with a new sonic approach:
The opening track, whilst promising, doesn’t set the overall tone for the rest of the EP. Once past the second track ‘Worth Your While‘ with its catchy opening bassline we’re into gospel territory, one that will maybe have a greater American appeal over his native UK. This isn’t a complete surprise as that influence was hinted at in his previous EP ‘The Baron’ with ‘The preacher‘ but there is bigger sounding production at play on ‘Wash Me in the Water‘ and ‘Have a Little Faith‘. Although the last two tracks threw me the balance of play on a future album will be interesting but that title track will win him new fans without a doubt.