2008 release. There is a tradition in classic Black music that goes back to the smooth crooning of Sam Cooke, the earthy gritty sound of Otis Redding, the lyrical beauty of Curtis Mayfield and the unfiltered intensity of Donny Hathaway. It's a combination of church-rooted hallelujah praisin' and tell-it-like-it-is storytellin'. Few contemporary artists are equipped to carry the torch with any sense of authenticity. Anthony Hamilton may be the sole-indeed, soulful-exception. Simply put, Anthony has proved to be the real deal, as audiences discovered during his countless road treks performing night-after-night before packed crowds of -as he puts it-'young thugs, white and black, mothers with babies on their knees, old school G's and kids looking for something they could feel and relate to.'