Blackmagic (Deluxe Version)

iTunes Review

This music lives at the nexus of jazz balladry, modern R&B, and atmospheric club tracks. At various times James can evoke Johnny Hartman, Gil Scott-Heron, or one of those unusual voices that graces Chicago House jams, but he has his own striking style. Watery electric piano tones are one of Blackmagic’s signature sounds, but there are all sorts of appealing touches: unusual drum patterns, buttery horns, digital whatzits. On “Code,” James coolly vocalizes over sprinkles of keyboard, percussion, and a wild bass line. “Warrior” has an urgent forward thrust that nicely contrasts with unrushed singing, while the title track comes off like a less stressed-out slice of trip-hop. “Beauty” displays a jazzier, more pop-oriented side of James, and he’s highly effective in this mode. On “Evidence of Existence” the vocalist brings a sense of subtlety to the lyrics as soft horns fill the air. The slinky “Visions of Violet” finds James working with the L.A. producer Flying Lotus. This deluxe version of Blackmagic includes a number of remixes, and Sbtrkt’s version of “Warrior” — which adds edgy percussion and electronic whooshes — stands out.