For his first album in four years, and his debut for the
Shanachie
label,
Anthony David Harrington
met back up with
Eddie Stokes
, a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who was with him at the beginning of his career. They don't retrace any steps, though, as
The Powerful Now
moves forward with some energized stylistic change-ups that might throw some longtime listeners. "I Don't Mind" and "Out of My League," both of which place a specific object of affection on a pedestal, respectively tap into Afrobeat and melodic hard rock.
Harrington
also covers
311
's affectionate ballad "Amber," a minor hit for the band in early 2002, in a breezy style with feathery acoustic guitar and booming bass. There isn't a hint of desperation, like
is dabbling simply because he's out of ideas. All of it sounds like him, his slightly rasping baritone present and steady as ever, whether he's delivering a street hustler's theme, beaming about kicking back with family, or settling into a serious relationship. The album truly hits its stride toward the end with excellent, sophisticated soul duets with
Reesa Renee
and
Carmen Rodgers
. (The latter song originally appeared on
Rodgers
' 2015 album
Stargazer
.) This is among
's most enjoyable work. ~ Andy Kellman