James Hunter is one of the best (and one of the few) British blue-eyed soul singers to emerge in the late 20th century. Hunter began his roots music career in the 1980s under the name Howlin' Wilf. His solo recordings feature rhythm & blues in the style of the 1950s, pitched between R&B, early rock & roll, and early soul. His 1994 solo debut, ...Believe What I Say, had guest appearances by Doris Troy and Van Morrison, and Hunter appeared on a couple of Morrison's mid-'90s albums, as well as performing as part of Morrison's Rhythm & Blues Revue. Hunter, also a skilled guitarist, wrote most of the material on his 2001 release Kick It Around. Go Records/Rounder picked him up a few years later, and he released his third full-length album, People Gonna Talk, in 2006. The album went on to be nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award.