Merging an unusual combination of genres,
Mr. Hudson (aka
Ben Hudson on vocals and guitar) applied his love for
Chet Baker and
Cole Porter to his skills in hip-hop production. To play his songs live, he formed
the Library, comprised of Maps Huxley (bass), Wilkie Wilkinson (drums), Joy Joseph (steel drums, vocals), and Torville Jones (piano). The first result, an EP entitled
Bread & Roses, came out via Deal Real in October 2006. The group toured with
Amy Winehouse in early 2007 in support of its debut album,
A Tale of Two Cities, released through Deal Real/Mercury. A slate of festival appearances followed during the summer, but
Hudson's biggest act of promotion came courtesy of rapper
Kanye West, who signed him to his G.O.O.D. Music label and featured
Hudson's production and vocals on 2008's number one album,
808s & Heartbreak.
Mr. Hudson's second album,
Straight No Chaser, appeared in August 2009, ably assisted by a single ("Supernova") featuring
West. ~ Kenyon Hopkin, All Music Guide