Over the decades, many have tried their hand at the measured deconstruction of soul – from Prince to D’Angelo to Jai Paul. The results have almost always been groundbreaking albums that have not only expanded the genre and its production possibilities, but also radiated into other styles. As Ruthven, Sean Nelson moves in this very tradition and creates songs full of grandiose guitar lines that flirt with purring synthesizers as well as with his diverse yet unagitated vocals. Alternative r'n'b and synth-funk, contemporary soul and Steely Dan-style yacht rock, lustful jams and sophisticated instrumentation are all on equal footing with the Londoner. At times working as a fireman and writing songs between emergency calls, he is fully aware of the balancing act between good ideas in the rough and a careful selection process afterwards. That’s one of the reasons why his debut, ‘Rough & Ready’ (2024), thrilled the British arts pages last year and offers more than enough material for a fantastic gig with us in Hamburg.