DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS Vinilo y CD

Review: Durand Jones and the Indications' two previous albums offered a distinctively vibrant, heartfelt and lyrically conscious take on 1960s and '70s funk and soul. This time round, the Indianapolis-based band has decided to do things differently, drawing far more influence from deep disco, jazz-funk, boogie and 1970s "modern soul". It's a logical - if slightly surprising - shift, but one that the band has pulled off magnificently. For proof, check the driving bass, woozy chords and locked-in disco drums of 'Witchoo', the rushing, life-affirming joy of peak-time-ready opener 'Love Will Work It Out' and the seriously summery 'The Way That I Do', where Jones' impeccable lead vocals ride a huggable, string-laden modern soul groove. In a word: superb.

Review: Durand Jones & The Indications earned lavish praise for their eponymous 2016 debut album, with critics comparing it favourably to conscious soul sets of the 1970s from the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. This belated follow up is, if anything, even better, with the group's core offering - tight instrumentation and super-smooth vocals from the hugely talented Jones and drummer Aaron Frazer - being complemented by silky string arrangements, warm brass and lyrics that flit between social commentary and glassy-eyed, loved-up bliss. Highlights include "Morning In America" - a kind of 2019 update to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" - the super-sweet vocal harmonies of "Don't You Know" and "Long Way Home", a lilting look at homesickness blessed with the twin attractions of swooping strings and a killer bassline.