Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement (2009)

2009 debut album from the Michigan-bred Pop/Soul singer/songwriter. A Strange Arrangement draws from the inspiration of Leroy Hutson, Smokey Robinson and the legendary songwriting and production trio of Holland, Dozier, Holland. At the same time, it revels in raw the sounds of the independent (and often unappreciated) musicians who aspired to achieve a level of success akin to their famous peers. The album is full of original compositions (bar a cover of The New Holidays' 'Maybe So, Maybe No') that underlies a heartfelt nostalgia to the sweet Soul of yesteryear. 12 tracks.