“No nonsense like John Smith’s”, a Roots Manuva lilt at the mercy of the ganja leaf triggers hairline vulnerability (‘Lost in a Mock’ and ‘Inspirational’ wondering glumly) and volatility (the stinging musical massacre ‘Murderous Composition’) that crusades with conviction and commands respect as King of the Road/foremost underground track-layer. Producer Tom Caruana earns the right to call shotgun with expertise in dusty, dismayed loop construction, also sorting Teddy Bear’s picnic chunks for ‘The Banga’, Rodney P nice-ups ‘Trading Bars’, punk thrill-of-the-chase ‘The Getaway’, the funk bronco ‘Nomad’ and bringing out the chipmunks to power ‘My Heart’.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Matt Oliver