The New Yorker being, well, The New Yorker, anyone favorably profiled therein is going to reach a new audience.

That's presumably true for James Hunter, the British soul singer-songwriter who was indeed favorably featured in the magazine several weeks ago. The timing certainly can't have hurt ticket sales for The James Hunter Six, now in the States on a tour that brings them Friday to the Knickerbocker Cafe in Westerly.

The band just released a new album, "Minute by Minute," that contains a wonderful mix of material ranging from tricky and exuberant roadhouse romps to mournful and bittersweet balladry. Hunter - whose gently melodic rasp recalls Sam Cooke - writes songs that celebrate the American soul tradition but are nonetheless imbued with a certain irreverent wit that reflects the group's infectious onstage personality.

- RICK KOSTER

The James Hunter Six,

9 p.m. Friday, the Knickerbocker Cafe, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly; with

The Revelations; $40 advance, $45 day of the show; (401) 315-5070.