Philadelphia soul artist Valvin “V” Roane makes a return to BBE Music with new album Image A Nation, his first full-length project on the label since 2005's The Revelation Is Now Televised. His new LP paints a vivid picture of a people and culture on the move...

There's a '70s soul vibe to V's Image A Nation, which brings to mind an imaginary hip-hop Stevie Wonder project. These 13 tracks (37 min, 46 sec) slowly build to become something bigger than the sum of its parts and it's certainly an album you'll play to death now and return to time and time again in the future.

The overriding message on this upbeat LP, is one of optimism and striving to navigate the pitfalls of life, forever reaching to find that utopia that is constantly just out of reach.

V's vocals are smooth and you'll find yourself sucked into his world. It's a beautifully produced collection of really engaging songs.

8

Nick Smithson