The word “prolific” doesn’t really do Albert Hammond justice. Not only is he a singer and record producer, he’s also a noted songwriter who has collaborated with the likes of Hal David and Diane Warren, helping define eras with cuts such as ‘The Air That I Breathe’ (The Hollies) and ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’ (Starship). His first album of all-new material in twenty years, Body Of Work, finds him at a creative peak and delivering an oeuvre that marks him as totally relevant and is sure to sound fresh, twenty years hence.

The first thing to note is that Albert Hammond hasn’t lost his knack of writing a catchy hook, and opening track ‘Don’t Bother Me Babe’ immediately reels the listener in. Like a fish on a line, we are at the mercy of Albert as he teases us with an insanely captivating beat before landing the killer blow with a neat lyrical phrase. It’s an intoxicating mixture, and one that’ll bury itself deep in your cranium. Yet, it seems that time has only increased his powers; like a barrel-aged whiskey, the following ‘Shake A Bone’ contains all the essential ingredients from the melodic shuffle to the sublime song structure, they are presented in a new way that never ceases to excite.

What is most impressive about Body Of Work is its modernity; this is undoubtedly an Albert Hammond album, yet it has a contemporary feel. That comes across in the lyrical content; ‘Don’t Bother Me Babe’ deals with social media addiction, whilst ‘Gonna Save The World’ turns its attention to climate change. It’s a bold move that could age quite fast, yet the strength of the songs insulates it from this; good songwriting will never go out of style, and Body Of Work features seventeen prime examples. It’s heartening that as Albert Hammond fast approaches his 80th birthday, he’s far from resting on past glories and with one eye on the past, his other is firmly fixed on the future.

This album is akin to a box of chocolates; it’s a prize assortment that serves up the rockabilly groove of ‘Gonna Be Alright’, the folky ‘Bella Blue’ and the late-night blues bar of ‘Anything Yo Want Me To’. In fact, none of these seventeen songs inhabit the same sonic space, and this album is the perfect vehicle for Albert Hammond to display his different wares. Multifaceted it might be, but Body Of Work hangs together as a collective whole; that’s partly due to Albert’s warm, Marlboro vocals, but when listening to cuts such as ‘Living In The Universe’, the songsmith could only be Mr Hammond.

Proving the old adage correct, this album was certainly worth the wait, but Albert Hammond has used his time wisely and produced a fine Body Of Work.

• Body Of Work is released via earMUSIC on 1st March 2024.

Track List:

1. Don’t Bother Me Babe
2. Shake A Bone
3. Gonna Save The World
4. Both Ways
5. Like The Do Across The River
6. Somebody’s Child
7. Knocking On Your Door
8. Young Llewelyn
9. Gonna Be Alright
10. Let It Go
11. The American Flag
12. Bella Blue
13. Anything You Want Me To
14. Looking Back
15. Another Heart To Break
16. Living In The Universe
17. Goodbye LA