The Bravest Man in the Universe XL****

Why they haven’t made a biopic about Bobby Womack remains a mystery. Not only has Womack’s life story been intensely picaresque, but he’s interacted with everyone from Sam Cooke to Elvis to The Rolling Stones to Dusty Springfield. Having been resuscitated commercially by Gorillaz, Womack – now 68, and indisputably one of the great soul singers – has delivered one of his best ever works with this beguiling record, produced by Damon Albarn and XL label boss Richard Russell.

The lead-off and title track immediately transports you to early 1990s Bristol Beat, and there are more than a few fingerprints from Massive Attack’s Blue Lines. Musically, it’s a mix of stuttering electro and simple acoustic guitar, but it’s how Womack cajoles his voice into new and richer textures that steals the show.

The second song, Please Forgive My Heart, is one of the best things Womack has ever done. It’s an exquisite vocal, bruised and plaintive. There’s a welcome swerve into straight-up Gospel on Deep River before Lana Del Rey puts in an appearance on a duet, Dayglo Reflection. The two voices blend beautifully over a shuffling, almost Trance- like beat.

Sweet Baby Mine and Stupid continue in the same rich vein. Womack manages to meld that classical soul sound with some deft hi-tech touches, which puts this work at some remove from just about everything else out there.

There’s so much to rave about on The Bravest Man in the World, from the sheer quality of the songwriting to the empathic production to the strength and variety of the vocal stylings.

Womack may have been upholstered here slightly, but this is a bolder and brighter continuation of his previous work. If you've any doubts, take a quick listen to Please Forgive My Heart and you'll be convinced of the many merits of this work. A superb collection. bobbywomack.com

Download tracks:Deep River, Stupid, Sweet Baby Mine, Dayglo Reflection