‘My Precious Life’ is the debut album graciously offered by singer songwriter Julian Hinton. Speaking of the circumstances and surroundings that were the lifeblood for his creativity on the record he explains “My music comes from the details, the observations…of artistic life in London over the past decade”. What I would love to know is exactly where in London Julian goes to get his fix. I’d like to know because the patient, sensual worldly music that is teased out on the album results in a soundscape more reminiscent of some Latin Haven than the Big Smoke.

Julian’s album is nothing if not brave. It flirts with many styles and genres but ultimately decides that Latin infused jazz is its soul mate, and faithful to the genre it favours, the album is at times syncopated, improvisationary and leaves you with the sense that anything goes.

The tracks themselves vie for attention and the musical/thematic motifs which blend and change are surprisingly fluid. From the mellow, acoustic led tenderness on ‘Your Beautiful Head’ to the riotous, folk inspired ‘I Quit’. The pace breaks on ‘Keep Your Eyes On Me’, a personal favourite which sees the essence of the album stripped down to Hinton’s intimate lyricism and tentative piano. Amidst his obvious artistry, you could never accuse him of being egotistic, and on “The Blackbird Song” he selflessly offers limelight to the birdsong that chirps and whistles along to the music!

The album is clearly unified by the contributions of several talented musicians, and worth particular mention are the recurring backing vocals which whisper in and out, constantly alluding to the accompaniment on Sergio Mendes’ cancion ‘Mas que nada’.

My Precious life is a great listen, innovative and refreshing. It will be interesting to see how the tracks evolve and translate into live music, -particularly that Blackbird Song!

Andrea Maltman