Comparing Ben Khan to Jai Paul is like shooting fish in a barrel, but considering Khan apparently doesn't take to these comparisons with much enthusiasm, we'll be nice and move on.
The disjointed funk of Do It Right and The Green recall some of D'Angelo's latest works. Monsoon Daydream features a satisfying clusterfuck of rhythms that all gets tied together neatly thanks to some excellent production. The demented thump of Our Father and Merchant Prince are also bound to frighten the listener rather than arouse them. Ultimately it's these shorter, more experimental tracks that become the album highlights, with an ambient song like Ruby really dragging on for far too long.
For someone that clearly has a fine voice for this sort of music, Khan's is unfortunately always buried behind a layer of effects that often make the lyrics unintelligible. As an album of musically interesting moments, Ben Khan's self-titled album is well worth your time. It's just a shame that the songwriting underneath all these well-produced tunes is occasionally lacking. Khan still has a way to go before he'll truly create something big and special, but with a sound that's bound to please certain crowds, he's definitely on the right track.
