As the falsetto-voiced crooner behind the drum kit of Midwestern soul revival outfit
Durand Jones & the Indications
,
Aaron Frazer
won a lot of hearts with "Is It Any Wonder?," a honeyed R&B ballad that represented his sole turn as lead vocalist on the band's 2016 debut. Summoning the sweet and lonesome tones of icons like
Smokey Robinson
and
Curtis Mayfield
, he acted as a foil to frontman
Jones
' lower, more conventional soul power. As a producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist,
Frazer
played an even greater role on
the Indications
' sophomore set,
American Love Call
, making a solo effort seem almost inevitable. A Baltimore native who found his calling as a soul man in the college town of Bloomington, Indiana,
now calls Brooklyn home, though he headed back to the Midwest to work with like-minded retroist
Dan Auerbach
(
the Black Keys
) on
Introducing...
, his solo debut co-released by
Dead Oceans
Auerbach
's own
Easy Eye Sound
imprint. Impeccably produced in rich analog glory, the 12-song set dials in on
's strengths as a vocalist, propped up on a platform of horn-assisted, rhythmically pleasing classic soul, R&B, and light funk. Having already proven with
that he can nail a vintage sound and feel, he wisely sets his sights on songcraft, populating his debut with a host of memorable, well-written songs that fit the '60/'70s vibe while adding some personality to the mix. Dark-hued cuts like "Can't Leave It Alone" and "Love Is" offer plenty of punch and even approach modern pop sensibilities, while more vintage-inspired standouts like the excellent "Done Lyin'" and the gospel-infused "Leanin' on Your Everlasting Love" reveal a deep knowledge of structure and penchant for memorable melodies. All too often, this type of record can become bogged down by its own reverence for the period it seeks to re-create, but on
manages to overcome the vintage doldrums with good songwriting and top-notch arrangements. ~ Timothy Monger