Les Imprimes

Reverie – Big Crown Records

Although this album by Les Imprimes, Reverie, was recorded in 2023, the production and sound match perfectly with 60s era American soul music right out of Motown. The artist recording under the name Les Imprimes is Morten Martens, Norwegian multi-instrumentalist and genre spanning musician, who has won Norway’s equivalent of a Grammy a few years ago (Hip Hop & R&B.) Playing all the instruments on this album and taking on producing duties this time around, this is a classic sounding soul album that has no weak points.

The elegant love ballad, “You,” track 8, is earwormy and has flourishes of Carolina beach music, with the nostalgic strums and backing vocals. It is not all old classic soul, Track 12, “Muse,” looks to expand the genre with flamenco sounding strings – veering into an island soul song from the 80s. The first track, “I’ll Never Leave,” has a reverbed guitar with funky drum pacing. The vocals, syrupy sweet and determined – it’s a LoFi jam. Track 9, “Our Love,” features a spunky organ, mixing in 60s and 70s tones and a call and response harmony. “Still Here,” track 4, slips into a blues tune that sounds as cool as a summer afternoon cocktail.

Filled with infectious and mesmerizing moods and sounds, this is sure to be a favorite for all R&B and Soul listeners. I love the hints back to the past heroes, but also how this is really a modern interpretation of the genre.

It is seriously hard to pick any favorites… if I had to choose, I’d go: 8**, 1**, 9**, 4**, 2**, and 12**.

– (h)earwitness