With ‘4Everevolution’, Roots Manuva gives us his strongest album for some time. It’s a celebratory piece that finds him largely happy with his lot, happy to extend the love to a number of guest vocalists and producers, but always ready with a pithy lyrical comment or three. The typically vibrant wordplay mixes well with the guest vocalists, and Skin and Cass of Skunk Anansie bring plenty to ‘Skid Valley’. The rapper continues to flex his vocal muscles, and works well with the lower register of Ricky Ranking in ‘Wha Mek’. For sheer balls, though, ‘Get The Get’ is the album’s choice cut – catchy too – though ‘Watch Me Dance’ runs it pretty close. Either way it’s good to report Manuva is still on form, and though this may not be his most cohesive piece of work, it’s one of his most enjoyable.
4 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
