On his debut, A Strange Arrangement, 29-year-old multi-instrumentalist Mayer Hawthorne channels Smokey Robinson and Isaac Hayes. This makes Hawthorne a candidate for the original Motown label rather than Peanut Butter Wolf's Stone's Throw imprint. But, Hawthorne's incorporation of the odd breakbeat upgrades his brand of soul into the present time - without turning it into neo-soul. Hawthorne's mostly falsetto/occasional baritone finds its stride on "Let Me Know." The Supremes would do well with the up-tempo horn honks and handclaps on "Your Easy Lovin' Aint Pleasin' Nothin'." And "Maybe So, Maybe No" finds Hawthorne crooning sassily, puncturing honeyed tones with Stevie Wonder borrowed "la-la-las"Mayer Hawthorne - Maybe So, Maybe No
Mayer Hawthorne - Just Aint Gonna Work Out
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