Overall Impression: The mystifying musical tale of a healer on a remote island, The Pudgy Man by Jeff Hartman is shrouded in the unknown. This new tune by the New Jersey-based musician boasts a smooth, enticing sound that fits well in the worlds of Adult Contemporary and Pop. From the first notes out of the guitar, a sense of mystery begins to develop and blankets the song in a haze. This continues to grow as the lyrics describe a short, pudgy man in the Caribbean. He has the power to heal, and is known far and wide for his magical hands. In keeping with this, Hartman's sultry vocals seem to lure and pull the listener along. He sings with a smooth confidence that blends in perfectly with the music. This is the sort of tune that transports you another land, and makes you want to get up and dance. It is a wonderful and spellbinding new song by Jeff Hartman that is both easy on the ears and tantalizing for the spirit.
Strongest Point(s): There are some really wonderful musical moments in The Pudgy Man. The harmonics in the guitar line really emphasize the sense of mystery that permeates the entire song. The horns do a great job of accenting the vocal line, and the beat is very enticing. This tune has a strong Pop feel, particularly in the catchy chorus, but is held together by an Adult Contemporary sound. It fits well along the other great tunes in these genres, and is a pleasure to listen to.
--Zachary Larson