John Martyn - And. (1996)

Though his reputation is based on folk music, in the 1990s John Martyn began saying he was “funky, not folky,” and this album proves it. A heady brew of trip-hop, late-night jazz, and heavy rhythms, it was a step away from the primarily smooth jazz of his 1980s work and a quantum leap away from his 1960s and 1970s acoustic music. It’s a successful venture, as Martyn’s slurry impressionistic vocals were made for this kind of music. “Sunshine’s Better” is the highlight track, and it’s so good that it’s on the album twice, the second time as a remixed unlisted hidden track tacked onto the end. Phil Collins guests on some songs (most notably “Suzanne”), but thankfully his sound, which could be antithetical to the songs, does not predominate. Though this album may distance listeners loyal to the earlier Martyn sound, those approaching with an open mind will find an artist ably keeping current and a quite good collection of songs.