Non-Prog Album Reviews

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Michael Kiwanuka - KIWANUKA (2019)

Genres: Psychedelic Soul, Progressive Soul, Deep Soul, Art Rock 

Rating: 4.5/5

I barely review progressive soul albums. Which is weird cause I quite like the genre. Lucky me in getting this album in a swap.

Michael Kiwanuka is a UK based soul musician who started his career with the 2012 release of Home Again. After a few extra years he would release his self titled third album of KIWANUKA, which is relatively popular, at least to both critics and fans alike.

Right off the bat one can tell this is a love letter to the styles of old school soul music of the 70s. Imagine the soulful introspections of Marvin Gaye, mixed with the fun grooves of Stevie Wonder, with a bit of the psychedelic funkiness of Sly & The Family Stone, and you got KIWANUKA. As a more casual fan of all those artists, I certainly grappled onto this record like a sloth to its mothers back. I really like fun, yet highly introspective soul music, so I inevidently really liked KIWANUKA. It's like 2 + 2 for my musical taste. If it sounds good to me, then it's good.

But an aspect I don’t see people talk about is that Michael here clearly took an inspiration to krautrock here. I mean, this might sound like a stretch, but the guitar and drum tones are very close to being that of something off of a CAN or Amon Düül II song. I mean I am not crazy, I can clearly hear it. Listen to You Ain't the Problem and Vitamin C back to back and tell me you can’t hear it.

Another thing that might be a stretch, but something I still enjoy, is that the record screams early Pink Floyd, at least in some certain parts. Not saying this record is prog rock, but the psychedelic and more space-like qualities give an air similar to that of Atom Heart Mother. A weird comparison to make, but a little while ago I listened to Summer ‘68 right after this album, and my mind realized there is a connection between Michael’s sound and that of post-Syd / pre-DSOTM era Pink Floyd. Not a one to one match, but the lines are there between the points, and the lines are very, very red.

I think my only problem with this record is that the middle part of it is pretty weak. The first few and last few tracks are all really good but the middle is just alright. They’re likeable, but I wouldn’t call them excellent by any degree.

That said, KIWANUKA is a very fun album that feels like the love letter to the 70s era of not only soul, but contemporary music as a whole. Definitely a strong recommendation from me.

Best tracks: You Ain't the Problem, Rolling, Final Days, Light

Worst track: Another Human Being (Interlude)

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Dapper~Blueberries Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: November 06 2021 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 390	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dapper~Blueberries Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 07 2025 at 14:53
	Michael Kiwanuka - KIWANUKA (2019) Genres: Psychedelic Soul, Progressive Soul, Deep Soul, Art Rock Rating: 4.5/5 I barely review progressive soul albums. Which is weird cause I quite like the genre. Lucky me in getting this album in a swap. Michael Kiwanuka is a UK based soul musician who started his career with the 2012 release of Home Again. After a few extra years he would release his self titled third album of KIWANUKA, which is relatively popular, at least to both critics and fans alike. Right off the bat one can tell this is a love letter to the styles of old school soul music of the 70s. Imagine the soulful introspections of Marvin Gaye, mixed with the fun grooves of Stevie Wonder, with a bit of the psychedelic funkiness of Sly & The Family Stone, and you got KIWANUKA. As a more casual fan of all those artists, I certainly grappled onto this record like a sloth to its mothers back. I really like fun, yet highly introspective soul music, so I inevidently really liked KIWANUKA. It's like 2 + 2 for my musical taste. If it sounds good to me, then it's good. But an aspect I don’t see people talk about is that Michael here clearly took an inspiration to krautrock here. I mean, this might sound like a stretch, but the guitar and drum tones are very close to being that of something off of a CAN or Amon Düül II song. I mean I am not crazy, I can clearly hear it. Listen to You Ain't the Problem and Vitamin C back to back and tell me you can’t hear it. Another thing that might be a stretch, but something I still enjoy, is that the record screams early Pink Floyd, at least in some certain parts. Not saying this record is prog rock, but the psychedelic and more space-like qualities give an air similar to that of Atom Heart Mother. A weird comparison to make, but a little while ago I listened to Summer ‘68 right after this album, and my mind realized there is a connection between Michael’s sound and that of post-Syd / pre-DSOTM era Pink Floyd. Not a one to one match, but the lines are there between the points, and the lines are very, very red. I think my only problem with this record is that the middle part of it is pretty weak. The first few and last few tracks are all really good but the middle is just alright. They’re likeable, but I wouldn’t call them excellent by any degree. That said, KIWANUKA is a very fun album that feels like the love letter to the 70s era of not only soul, but contemporary music as a whole. Definitely a strong recommendation from me. Best tracks: You Ain't the Problem, Rolling, Final Days, Light Worst track: Another Human Being (Interlude)
	D~B