Since Nathan Haines' first album Shift Left in 1994 he has always shown that he is the master of reinvention. With 5 A Day, by my count his 10th album release, Haines again comes at us from a new or renewed direction, this time with a strong funk and soul emphasis on many of the albums tracks.
The title track gets that message across with a funk-based blast that gives the speakers a good rattle. Mike Patto's influence as a co-producer and multi-instrumentalist is evident from the get-go, especially his bass-lines. While the soul funk approach is predominant overall there are also interesting contrasts. There's one vocal track that wouldn't be out of place on radio station the Breeze's playlist. Wait and See, with Tama Waipara out front of a relaxed and catchy melody is top class.
Elsewhere, Nathan Haines gives us a full workout of his musical skills, displaying his virtuosity with tenor and soprano sax, flute, trumpet and on the keyboard and synths. His preference for old-school Moogs and analog synthesisers is once again to the fore.
Haines and Patto brought together an impressive unit for these sessions, to take their own contribution to a higher level. Waipara and Vanessa Freeman lead out the vocal tracks, Marc Mac (4hero) is the drummer, brother Joel Haines and Richard Stenning are on guitar, and special guest P-Money plays drums on Count On Me.
This just might be Nathan Haines' best release yet. Enjoy.
