Jamie Woon
Making Time
(Polydor)

Jamie Woon has the kind of voice where he doesn’t have to try hard to be noticed. With a smooth, casual aura to his music, especially his sophomore LP, Making Time, the UK-based singer/songwriter shines. Inspired by D’Angelo’s Voodoo album, Woon utilized live musicians during the recording process. Though the project feels like a band of guys getting together to work out some tunes, the production, the harmonies and melodies were a complex process I’m sure. Where Mirrorwriting, Woon’s 2011 debut, led off on the down-tempo R&B and soul road, Making Time turns near the jazz and folk field. It’s a perplexing album, but that’s the beauty in it. It’s restrained, it’s fluid, it’s emotive, it’s quiet – it’s wonderful, really. Repeat plays include “Forgiven,” “Sharpness,” “Skin,” and “Little Wonder.”