New Mexico-born, New York-based writer/vocalist/guitarist Raul Midón brings a vibrant sound steeped in classic soul to the pop arena. Midón burst onto the scene in 2005 with his audaciously original debut album, State of Mind, and he’s followed it up with A World Within A World, an even more memorable song cycle, one that substantiates the depth of his talent and the degree of his dedication. Midón melds his distinct style with a rich tradition of pop inventiveness, combining the beguiling soulfulness of Stevie Wonder, the inventive appropriation of non-indigenous musical elements pioneered by Paul Simon, and the trend-defying individuality of Bill Withers.

This is not your average pop record — not by a long shot. With 'A World Within a World,' Midón has fashioned an album that is at once audacious and accessible. The opening "Pick Somebody Up," which could serve as Midón's credo, embeds a theme of uplifting social consciousness in an insinuating groove with a lush, uptown soulfulness. "Save My Life" updates the silky '70s soul of the Stylistics and Delfonics, infusing it with the deep funk of the same period courtesy of Midón's wah-wah electric guitar part. Midón focuses on another era altogether in "All the Answers" as he celebrates the ease of access to a vast universe of information thanks to the Internet. This is that rare sort of pop album that could actually make a difference, and as such, it stands right alongside the pivotal works of the artists who inspired it.