Defined by dazzling strings and that strutting beat, Harlem is a very cool Bill Withers track taken from his 1971 debut album, Just As I Am. Spoilt for choice when it comes to song line-up’s on this record, we also have the delights of Ain’t No Sunshine and Grandma’s Hands to savour, but Harlem is perhaps not as well-known – though it was also released as a 45 on Sussex Records!
Bill Withers was in his mid-30’s by the time he released his first record and this factors into how the songs are both written and performed. He’d live a little by the time he recorded this album and a sense of maturity echoes through the lyrics. Tinged by reflection and (perhaps) patches of regret, Bill Withers was coming from a different place and his experiences shaped this sound. I never appreciated that he was a (proud) untrained musician when he started out, but this by no means tainted his creations. Instead, the simplicity only adds to the ease in which he connects. His influences preceded the funk/soul sound it carried, coming from the early blues of years before; his songs were about stories and expression. Harlem is certainly expressive!…it makes me shuffle about the room every time!! Enjoy!
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