Anthony Hamilton

"Comin' From Where I'm From" utilizes a copy-protection technology that allows the CD to play on nearly all standard playback devices, including CD players, DVD players, car stereos, boomboxes, PCs, Macs, Walkmans, and game consoles. Using the original disc, consumers can transfer this album to their personal computers. From their computer, consumers can also transfer the music to a secure portable device and burn three copies to CD-R. Mac users can transfer tracks to an iPod, but PC users can not transfer tracks to an iPod.

Japanese edition includes one bonus track. Sony. 2008.

Masterful soul vocalist Anthony Hamilton has been compared to greats including Stevie Wonder, Bobby Womack, and Bill Withers. Following notoriety derived as D'Angelo's back-up singer and lead vocals on the Grammy-nominated Nappy Roots track "Po'Folks," Hamilton landed deservedly in the spotlight. His signature sound, fusing timeless '70s soul with current R&B sensibilities, shines on the stellar Soulife.

The voice is mellifluous, thick and soulful as hell; it seems to have time-traveled straight from a hot summer night in 1971. The songs are a funky retro soul with modern touches; the obvious nods to jazz, reggae and gospel never sound forced or cheesy. The sound is uncluttered, propelled by crisp beats that are the most modern thing here; damn, the whole thing just makes you want to dance in the street! The press release implores us not to call thirty-four year old Anthony Hamilton "neo-soul," but the dude has made a superb album that's part Bobby Womack, part Marvin Gaye. Hamilton's voice is sexier than a warm bathtub surrounded with candles, while his message is socially relevant in the best way. The title track is the sort of state of the union song that once filled albums such as What's Going On. The only thing the record could use is more hooks; this is pop music after all. In the end, though, Ain't Nobody Worryin' reminds us what an album can be–not two great songs with a lot of filler or some sorry excuse for twenty different guest spots from celebs–but an inter-related suite of songs that moves the listener deeply.–Mike McGonigal

"Comin' From Where I'm From" utilizes a copy-protection technology that allows the CD to play on nearly all standard playback devices, including CD players, DVD players, car stereos, boomboxes, PCs, Macs, Walkmans, and game consoles. Using the original disc, consumers can transfer this album to their personal computers. From their computer, consumers can also transfer the music to a secure portable device and burn three copies to CD-R. Mac users can transfer tracks to an iPod, but PC users can not transfer tracks to an iPod.