SAM KUSLAN, Runaway Love

Not since AJ Croce has a young singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist emerged with such an inspiring fusion of funky, traditional New Orleans excitement, classic Americana, soul, blues and jazz as Sam Kuslan on his eclectic and infectious debut album Runaway Love.

Inspired by all those traditions and the varied influences of Jamie Cullum, Sammy Davis, Jr. and John Mayer, the multi-talented artist – who plays piano, Rhodes, clavinet, Wurlitzer, organ, synths and acoustic and electric guitar – is launching his solo career after amassing a unique resume that includes, among other regular gigs, touring as a featured performer with NOLA jazz-funk sextet Naughty Professor and serving as a sideman for country/folk artist Sean McConnell and rocker David Shaw.

Kuslan, whose vocals are actually much smoother than both Croce’s and Cullums, is such an economical, to the point songwriter that Runaway Love takes us on an extraordinary nine song journey in only 26 minutes! Any tune is a good one to enter the experience from, but the rambunctious, piano drive and horn fired blues romp title track makes the most sense because it’s the lead single. Though adept at piano pounding, Kuslan’s not always in that mode, cooling into a soulful mid-tempo groove on the charming, country tinged pure pop tune “(I Wanna Call Love) An Old Thing” and showcasing his sweet, romantic side on the lilting charmer “My Completeness.”

The equally sweet pop/rocker “Sunshine and Roses” (which offers an occasional taste of his falsetto) is such a core emotional experience here that he named his indie label after it. Each of the nine songs seems designed to put listeners in a different mood and mindset, from the silky, then soaring “Only You” to the socially conscious, mid-tempo blues-rock-funk prayer “Dear God” and the dreamy, jazzy neo-soul gem “Patiently Waiting.” Kuslan seems to have a lot of musical day jobs but this stellar debut album, which features his multitude of talents on glorious display, should go a long ways towards establishing him as an impactful solo artist employing many great musicians rather than being the employed.