(Trevor Horn) 

"A mere 'thankyou' doesn't do your contribution justice Jools. You've been an absolute delight. Your talent, your humour, your work. I love 'em all!"

(Don Black) 

 

Press Reviews for

 'The Julian Hinton Band'

 

and sister-project 'uS' 

"Gentle breaths of vocal are wrapped around sparse, considered piano, violin and guitar arrangements. It is patient but passionate." (THE LIST - Edinburgh)

Zehra Ozayas wrote this lovely piece about "My Precious Life" album released in 2007......

    "When you hear Julian's compositions as one song takes you to an entirely different realm to the other, whilst still beaming with Julian's distinctive vocals, you will find yourself in tune with the sheer journey of Julian's music.

    

    'A journey aspiring for ten years' is how he describes the makings of his first album 'My precious life'. Having spent 18 months producing the 14 song compilation, Julian's musical and lyrical thoughts are a colourful spectrum in full flow, just as intended. There is something mysteriously comforting about these songs that relax and fill you with soulful warmth. Perhaps it's because on listening, Julian gives off the vibe that these songs are real; made with love and freedom, unshackled by any sense of pretence. So when we do discover that Julian's piano lessons, that started at the age of twelve led him into a 'natural need to create songs' at 16, it makes perfect sense. From a book of poems he found at home, Julian at 16 started to set poems to music and since has not recovered from the 'creativity bug'; an artist that's confident with his sound as much as he is comfortable with it.
   
    Having studied music at university, the last ten years have seen Julian find one way or another to vent his musical creativity. He has both taught and toured as a piano player, indulging in various funk jams with people his met on the way, 'learning from others across the country and the world'. The support Julian received after his first and completely unprepared live performance in Islington five years ago, acted as the catalyst for the beginnings of an affair that would take him to his present niche of Singer/Songwriter.
  
     'A great passion for music' is the vibe that has like a gentle breeze carried Julian thorough the last 18 months in the creation of 'My Precious Life'. Citing early influences from Elton John's matchless style during the 70's to the jazz/ funk and acid jazz movement of Bands such as Jamiroquai, the Brand New Heavies alongside the classic and simple performances of Bill Withers. Julian describes his own sound as eclectic; 'a lot of vibes and inspirations', and rightly so. The songs on the album speak across a spread of musical languages; ranging from experimental rock out funk beats, acoustic poetic grooves to the 'rootsy' influences of Paul Simon. In essence 'you don't know what's coming next'.
   
    A style that's 'free and gentle' has allowed Julian the movement to experiment with the wide array of genres. Akin to his 'precious life' it's clear that Julian's songs are no different; each a form of expression and each holding a precious place amidst his carefully nurtured compositions. Julian's thoughtful lyrics are intended to 'promote a sense of openness and honesty', his 'no frills' approach is perhaps what induces an immediate intimacy with his songs; every individual listener relating from a unique personal perspective.    
    This is the stage when his songs come away from his reigns, and like blossoming children, Julian has not found it entirely easy to let go, describing the process of writing songs is, as quoted by Sting, 'like having children'; allowing songs enter into another's world for Julian, is accepting that his creations 'soon have a life of their own'.
   
    Almost like song writing is Julian's written destiny, it's a wonder what Julian would otherwise have been doing if not this? His response was as soulful as his songs, aspiring 'to being self-sufficient in an allotment in Cornwall, teaching kids music'.

    Ultimately since he was sixteen writing songs 'has been very natural', and it is this flare that, without a doubt manifests through the rhythmic tapestry of his music and acts as the force behind Julian's long term desire: 'to keep making records as much as possible, playing regularly with really good friends to as many people as possible'. We say be it Cornwall, London or the global circuit, Julian's expressive, warm and melt-in-the-mouth sounds will prove to be timeless. "