Sunday 2 November 2008


Continuing with a bit of a UK R&B theme, it's time for a look at the comeback of the King of modern UK soul, that Lemar guy. He's been responsible for a couple of truly great songs ('If Theres Any Justice' being a true classic) and also for getting a bit shirty with poor James May on Top Gear, but with the likes of Taio Cruz on the scene, is the ex-Fame Academy finalist still relevant? And if she knew what exactly?


Lemar - If She Knew
Where is there to go when you're a lone male on the UK R&B scene who has already taken his dedicated, sizeable fanbase on a voyage through modern soul? Well, add a little electro to the mix. On 'If She Knew', his first single in 18 months, Lemar croons over a subtly sparkling beat which the likes of Timbaland or Darkchild could well have produced. So, this comeback is more polished than ever before - but, as ever, Lemar is no puppet singing 'sex me up' lyrics over an instrumental worthy of better. No, when he sings 'if I ever let her go, I wouldn't make it a single day' in those silkily emotional tones, we really believe it.

The pop/R&B landscape isn't one of much justice, but with UK contributions so few and far between, stellar efforts like this deserve to be rewarded, so here's to the soulster - one of the few reality TV emergants who has managed to continue releasing music and to shake the tag - getting the hit he deserves.

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