/ Source: The Associated Press
British singer Michael Kiwanuka's retro-soul sound evokes memories of Bill Withers and Otis Redding, yet the 24-year-old Londoner is hailed as one of the musical hopes of this year.
The son of Ugandan immigrants took to the stage at Islington town hall in London ON Thursday after a 2011 that saw him support Grammy-winning singer Adele on tour.
Fresh from winning the BBC Sound of 2012 in January, Kiwanuka is playing a series of warm up gigs around Britain before the release of his first album "Home Again" in March.
"I Need Your Company" evokes Al Green, and from the way the audience sings a long to "Tell me a Tale" Kiwanuka has already made the grades.
The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach says he is working on a song with Kiwanuka.