James Hunter to join Starbucks label The Hard Way

When you think about it (maybe a little too much), British soulster James Hunter joining Starbucks' Hear Music label "the hard way" sounds like it would entail eating various animal organs while balancing on a jet a la Fear Factor. Hunter's trek to releasing his new album, incidentally called The Hard Way, on the coffee imprint was probably much simpler. We journalists just happen to like working terrible puns into our headlines.

Hunter will join Sir Paul McCartney and Joni Mitchell, amongst others, on the label with his upcoming release, due in June. The new album, produced by Liam Watson (The White Stripes), also features New Orleans' soul and R&B artist Allen Toussaint on a few tracks.

Hunter's last, People Gonna Talk, earned him a Grammy nomination. Here's the Hard Way track listing:

1. The Hard Way
2. Tell Her
3. Don't Do Me No Favors
4. Carina
5. She's Got A Way
6. Til The End
7. Hand It Over
8. Jacqueline
9. Class Act
10. Ain't Going Nowhere
11. Believe Me Baby
12. Strange But True