Barry Ashworth and Jason O’Bryan have continued to build and hone their sound since first appearing in the big beat explosion in the early 90s. Their third album welcomes aboard a legendary name in the shape of Terry Hall, one-time singer with the Specials and the Funboy 3, who joins rappers Rodney P and T.K.. This makes sense as Barry’s never made any secret of his allegiance to earlier street music forms like punk, and ska. Terry revisits the Specials’ ‘Gangsters’ pretty faithfully. Not only that, the album’s single is a racey take on Blonde’s ‘Rapture’, with Terry singing the Debbie Harry lines to great effect over a Chic-y backdrop. The boogie feel is continued on ‘Open’ but much elsewhere is hip hop tinged with anything from electro and reggae to Wu-style flavours. This album doesn’t confine itself to any bag and is all the better for it.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
