I’ll make no apology for staying in New Orleans – or for posting another song by Aaron Neville, this time from 1973.

This one, from 1973, is very different from the slow-burning Southern soul of his 1966 debut hit Tell It Like It is.

With its bass-driven funk groove and documentary-style lyric, it has more in common with songs like Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues and Curtis Mayfield’s Pusherman.

Aaron’s poetry captures the dangerous glamour of inner city life with the same accuracy and beauty as they did, and reflects the edgy reality of life in the ghetto.

The narrator here is a streetwise kid doing his best to steer clear of trouble: “Jungle rule, can’t be no fool – Might get caught by the hook of a crook, no time for cool.”

Neville’s sweet voice, such a contrast to his pugilistic appearance, gives the listener the impression that despite his heroic words – “I might be Hercules” – he might be easy prey. One look at the man and his would-be assailants would back off right away.

Produced by Allen Toussaint, he’s backed here by The Meters, keeping things tight and claustrophobic beneath the weight of the bass figure’s demonic grunt; the fear and trembling reflected in the icy organ and synth.