After his twice MOBO nominated debut album, Set the Tone released in 2004, Nate James had a lot to live up to with his follow up album Kingdom Falls. However, the man of soulful funk ‘n’ rock has met that challenge and squarely kicked it up the ass. James’ cream of raspy tones pour over us, continuing to demonstrate the diversity of his vocal abilities. This man is genius.

With the exception of a rather stagnant ‘Thinkin ‘Bout You’ (we are all entitled to an off day I guess), Nate James draws us into disbelief as he surprises us with funky melodies, quirky beats and lullaby lyrics a second time around.

This second album offers us an undeniably irresistible variety with what can only be described as a hint of Mary J Blige in ‘Choke’, JT’s synthesising ways in ‘High Times’ (an irresistible body-moving track) and a Prince-type feel in the soulfully sexy ‘S M F’ with enticing lyrics that allow you to fall into a land of fantasy.

The album entitled track ‘Kingdom Falls’ presents us with a darker, eerie and futuristic presence but the absolute highlight of this album has to be ‘Wonderland’; it brings us back to a hip hop jiving smokey Manhattan jazz bar – just stay strong and positive are lyrics that perfectly encapsulate the feeling of this track.

It is more than luck that afford this album the merit it deserves but Nate James can now breathe a sigh of relief as a lot was on the line for this young man this time round. After the renowned success of his first album, he decided to pour all the profits into setting up his own record label FROFUNK under which this sophomore album has been released. There can only be more good things to come.

Verdict: 4/5