The great city of Detroit has given us many great musicians over the years, from Aretha Franklin to Eminem – and now it's given the world Randolph. "Lonely Eden" is a breathtaking eclectic record with everything from funk to soul, from blues to R&B, and all of it as smooth as silk. Randolph has already made a name for himself, sitting in with the likes of Buddy Guy, P-Funk and War. The great Jazzanova have also remixed ‘Believer' and they know a thing or two about the groove.

1. Soul Brutha
2. Broken (Aka Warnings)
3. Claim
4. Golden Days
5. Leanin'
6. Valentine
7. Lonely Eden
8. GPS
9. Earth 2 God
10. Believer
11. Eda Mae
12. Soul Brutha (DJ Dez Edit)

The opener "Soul Brutha" throws the listener with its Tower of Power-esque horn line and feels like a rare groove classic, which has just been unearthed from a dusty vault where it has laid hidden for 30 years. But then Randolph brings the groove fully up to date with "Claim", which has a contemporary R&B and dance feel to it.

However, the best is yet to come with "Golden Days" which is funk rock par excellence. If you are digging Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, then you will definitely want to check this track out. It's like the Meters at their prime with a killer hook.

The soulful vibe carries on with "Leanin" with its funky swing beat and bluesy electric slide guitar solo. It's a weird fusion, which by rights should not work, but by heck it does. The Blues never sounded so funky and fresh. It also has a killer hook and is damn catchy too.

Best of all is the big beat, sprawling funkfest that is "Edna Mae" – like Tom Waits meets the Temptations. It's impossible not to love this track with its weird and wonderful beat and funky lines. It's jazz, but not as we know it. DJ Dez also manages a remix of "Soul Brutha" taking it straight into the club.

As a record, it's incredibly varied, taking different styles and twisting them around. It's 110% original and Detroit can be proud of its latest musical star.

~ Jamie Hailstone
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Released in the UK on Oct. 1, 2007

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