Personnel: Paul Weller (zither, piano, vibraphone, tamboura, handclaps); Mark Nelson (vocals, ukulele, zither, sitar); Steve Cradock (guitar); Brendon Lynch (harmonium, accordion, Mini-Moog synthesizer); Jools Holland (Wurlitzer piano); Steve White (percussion); Max Hayes, Clive Sparkman (hand claps); Rosie Wetters (background vocals). Engineers: Martin "Max" Hayes, Jamie Johnson. During his time with The Style Council, and indeed throughout his solo career, Paul Weller has struggled to reconcile his attraction to '60s soul music with the modernity expected of a pop icon of his stature. More often than not, he's chosen to dive straight into the past. With HEAVY SOUL, he manages to strike a perfect balance--or maybe it's just that the retro swing of the pop pendulum has made his anachronisms au courant. With a booming rhythm section and thick guitar attack bolstering his vocals, Weller sounds better, if a little raspier, than ever. Guitarist Steve Cradock of English R&B aspirants Ocean Colour Scene aids Weller in his mission to mine the music of the late 60's and early 70's. Brendan Lynch's matter-of-fact production makes HEAVY SOUL sound fresh almost in spite of itself.

• Genre: Pop
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 2/24/2017