Mayer Hawthorne
Stones Throw
(2009)

The soulmatic, self- titled Mayer “Player” Hawthorne of Motor city Detroit has been gallivanting around Los Angeles as of late. From local hip hop shows to fashion premieres, the recent transplant is soaking up the city’s splendor, supporting his mates’ achievements and equally, crafting his debut album, A Strange Arrangement. In his latest effort, Hawthorne excavates through the smooth sound of retro-soul, and perches alongside Motown originators, adorning listeners with sappy love ballads and heartfelt confessions. But frankly, critics are a bit cynical about his approach. While paying tribute and channeling inspiration from artists such as the Marvelettes, and the Stylistics, he tends to adopt their style so much so, he wavers between mimicking and appropriating their music into his own. And while his production skills exceed the likes of contemporary producers, some argue that his vocals, as well as his overall technique, is not up to par with fellow R&B “revivalists.” His harmonies pale in comparison to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, whose musical oeuvre cultivates a vintage quality and simultaneously, constructs fresh and unrivaled compositions.

However, despite the blatant criticism, Hawthorne is taking risks, offering listeners throwbacks that, unlike many hip hop bravados, swell with emotion. Perhaps, a Jewish cantor can help guide his wavering tenor and turn it into a strong falsetto. Who knows…but what is certain, Arrangement is layered with mid-night parking grooves and velvety rhythms that set the right mood. In “Maybe So, Maybe So,” and “I Wish It Would Rain,” Hawthorne strums through lamenting piano strings and blazes through up-tempo brass instrumentation, all of which, he accomplishes himself. And where Hawthorne lacks vocally, he compensates in song-writing, which also seems to be his forte. He cajoles listeners in “A Strange Arrangement,” “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” and “Shiny and New” where he draws that passé innocence that is connected to oldies. Stylistically, there are a number of tracks that stand out, but they each contribute different measures of success. “Make Her Mine” resembles the likes of the Delfonic’s “Didn’t I’d Blow Your Mind This Time,” tapping into that romantic melody composed in the early ’60s. “The Ills” slaps on that sugary pop and warbling drum beat that you find in Curtis Mayfield’s “Get Down.” And “Green Eyed Love” drags on with sly, guitar sections that hum drum to the staggering rhythm of ’70s funk. His intonation, however, falls flat- almost straining at times. But it is not too disappointing because, after all, Hawthorne renders playful renditions in “Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’” which may not be the most original, but offers listeners a good time. As Hawthorne experiments in A Strange Arrangement, searching for his musical niche, and contending to his newly formed identity, he displays a certain candor that is refreshing to generations to come and familiar to native soul/doo-wop/oldie loving connoisseurs.

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http://www.myspace.com/mayerhawthorne