The title of Sam Lunsford's third Stones Throw album immortalizes his childhood memory of mishearing the chorus of
Prince and the Revolution's "Raspberry Beret." For those acquainted with the previous output by the native Virginian -- a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer born almost smack in the middle of the '80s -- it won't be surprising that the contents of
Round Spiritual Ring are likewise nostalgia-tinged, another whole-hearted effort from a studio boffin with a natural facility for evoking R&B spanning pre-house to hip-hop soul. Those eras immediately preceded and followed Lunsford's birth year, coincidentally during which "Raspberry Beret" was released, and understandably remain his predominant source of inspiration here. In a way, the beatific opener, "Arrive," picks up where his
Ramsey Lewis-gone-
Dilla instrumental remake of
Aaron Hall's "Don't Be Afraid" left off. It sets the tone of the album (or a day) with senses of renewal, togetherness, and self-encouragement. Lunsford assuredly sings 'Won't be deceived by my insecurities," backed by his own sweet harmonies, resembling
Justin Timberlake if with a will to relate (rather than entertain) and without the nasal quality. "What You Want," "Sherbet Sky," "Impossible," and the more personal "Keep On Mashing" are lustrous slow jams that exemplify Lunsford's sensitive gentleman character, intertwining themes of romantic companionship and mental health. The stylistic departures are strong. From the high velocity bounding bassline and chiming keyboards to the urgent despair, "Pain Inside" has all the sonic and lyrical trademarks of a classic Latin freestyle track. "After the torture they put me through, nothing left to do, run away with me, run away from all this pain inside" is sung with enough conviction to remove any sense that the production choice was just a whim. Sounding more like the work of a band than that of a producer, "Love Will Light Your Dreams" is funky fusion, or long-haired acid jazz, an uplifting message put across with a burning guitar solo. It's followed by Lunsford's farthest-out moment yet, a vexed if optimistic psych-rock fireball titled "Peace, Love, Respect & Adoration." Those and other deep deviations from Lunsford's (roughly) '83-'95 Video Soul comfort zone enliven as much as the highlights that glide inside it. ~ Andy Kellman