December 09, 2003 @ 3:24 pm

Comin' From Where I'm From: The Neo Classic

by: Shanel Odum

Anthony Hamilton doesn’t seem to care what the term “neo soul” implies. His music is a little more old school than new. His delivery is about as new as your favorite pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars. “I’m timeless,” he says adamantly. “My musical style is like an off white canvas co

The southern soul singer appears far younger than the middle-aged audience congregating at a recent show at Jimmy's Uptown. The baby boom set is preoccupied with networking and after-work martinis when the young performer hits the stage. Most of them have never heard of Nappy Roots, much less recognize that Hamilton sings the hook to their Grammy nominated single, "Po' Folks". Since his CD, Comin' From Where I'm From, had recently hit stores, this was likely an intro to the North Carolina native's music. Sporting boho jeans and his signature netback trucker cap, Hamilton silences the chatter with a stage presence much grander than his small stature. His voice isn't velvety smooth or rich with Barry-like bass. It's gritty and weathered-almost raspy at times, like a Baptist preacher delivering a fiery sermon. Like grandpa recalling his youth. Even his hum is drenched with soul. "I'm a southern cat," Hamilton explains in his syrupy drawl. "I have an old spirit, an old soul. I used to sit around and listen to the old folks coming up and every now and again get slapped in the mouth. I thought I had something to say-had to get popped in the mouth until I learned manners." Tonight however, Hamilton manages to stir the grown folk as he launches into a feverish rant about lost love. He even begs like he's channeling the spirit of his forefathers. His lovelorn pleas are more Lenny Williams than Johnny Gill and these ladies are definitely feeling his heartache. Then with the same instrument, he strolls through the next song with a laid back drawl, weaving familiar tales of the south, talking about cornbread, fish and collard greens. He moves through his set with the subtle charisma of a boy who was raised on southern soil. It's more than his southern twang - it's his relaxed demeanor, his respectful charm, his down home lyrics. "Coming up in Charlotte, North Carolina was definitely a hazy, Sunday morning type of upbringing," reflects D'Angelo's former backup. "I grew up with an apple tree and little watermelons growing in my backyard. There were corner stores and candy trucks. Growing up in the South influenced me as a child, a man, and as a musician." Hamilton found his voice as a "smooth faced, nappy headed boy" in his church gospel choir. He nurtured his gift, worked the local nightclub circuit, and ten years ago, moved to the big city to follow his musical destiny and make his mama proud. "When I first came to Manhattan, I was staying at the studio in Times Square so it was definitely like, 'Wow,'" Hamilton reminisces with a chuckle. "Coming across the George Washington Bridge I realized that this is a different world-it looked like I was going to space or something. I was overwhelmed. There was definitely a culture shock-but it was a beautiful one and I embraced it." After years of bouncing from label to label he finally settled at his current home, So So Def. Comin From Where I'm From is not only the culmination of his decade long struggle in the industry, it's his third attempt at making a hit record. His first effort was never released and his second failed to catapult to the top of the R&B charts. If this Harlem crowd's reception is any indication of his third's potential success, it looks like Hamilton may have finally found a home. In the choir of his contemporaries, Hamilton definitely outsings most of his neosoul brothers. He sings with more urgency, more fire, more experience. He's proven tonight that his voice is too powerful to be confined to someone elses background arrangement.

Article tags: Comin, I'm, Neo, Classic 

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