A fine debut of unpretentious, highly personal soul.
Long before Amy Winehouse or Adele, Lynden David Hall was one of the first successful products of the BRIT School in Croydon. An example of the new breed of UK soul singers, he emerged in the mid-90s, brim-full with influences from his father’s record collection. A talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Hall was championed initially by Trevor Nelson, who heard his early demos, leading to his deal with EMI’s Cooltempo imprint.
Originally released in 1997, Medicine 4 My Pain was a fine debut showcase. There is very little artifice or flashiness here; this is unpretentious, highly personal soul, often reading like the listener had stumbled across letters rather than a lyric sheet. From its slinky opener, Do I Qualify?, a classic take of the underdog lover making a plea for supremacy, right through to the closing Do Angels Cry, Medicine 4 My Pain is sensual and tender, highlighting how superior a singer Hall was. Sure, he was little obsessed with Prince and Al Green at times, but then if you are going to have some reference points, you could do a lot worse. The title track meanders beautifully, full of symphonic soul stabs.
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Bron: BBC Music