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One of the strengths of the debut Starcraft was its multifaceted appeal. So if you’ve got a love of Build An Ark at one end, Anthony Joseph’s Leggo De Lion at the other with Silhouette Brown, Mark de Clive Lowe and Bugz In The Attic in the middle, this album is the one for you

Leader/producer Vincent Helbers has pulled together the vocal talents of West London experts Colonel Red and Spoonface, Nia Saw and on drums, the “constantly versatile brilliance” of Richard Spaven (also see Trust).

When this album is at its best, the poetic meets the soul, jazz, hip hop, funk in what Rainer Truby described as a “sublime new age jazz”. Not sure about that, but the space is deep on ‘I Think I Know’ which has downtempo beats that reaches a Futuristica Music level (yep, that good!). Also check ‘Better Let Go’ on this tip.

The broken beat scene seems to be in a transitory state at the moment. So while the title track and ‘Looking Deep’ are very Bugz, both ‘saved’ by the jazzy keys and flute, ‘Roll On’ seems too predictable. That said, compare with the Afro-bruk of “you are voodoo” ‘Russelology’ (with Ms. Saw) as this one lasts all the way of its near 8 minute duration (played by Peterson back in February!). Also in this bracket is the twisted poetry of ‘President’ , I just love the line “to feel good, is to no good” (or is that “to know good”?)

I am of the opinion that the second half is the stronger with the growers being the space funk dub of ‘The Other Side’, the broken-Princeness of ‘Visualize’ (great drums, guitar and keys on this one) and the Amp Fiddler style-funkin’ of ‘Experience’.

Not sure there’s a reason ‘The Story’ is split into two parts (and separated by first four tracks) but this one is currently my favourite in an Adam Gnade/Youthmovies meets Build An Ark (not many will say this) of electronica and conscious poetry and soul.

We know Mr. Bongo Records as experts in all things Brazilian and they are in a joint venture with the Bottletop people. This time they’ve teamed up with a new label, Unique Uncut Records, which was set up by Graham Luckhurst (also Mr. Bongo) and ex-Straight No Chaser writer Amar Patel. Peterson geeks will have spotted Unique Uncut also got on the case with Kidkanevil (of recent DJ Vadim remix) and Andreya Triana (she of the Flying Lotus’ ‘Tea-Leaf Dancers’ and Jose James) so I’m expecting a story of even more success from these guys in the near future.

Hectic Mix nominations: ‘I Think I Know’, ‘The Story’ (Parts I & II)’, ‘Better Let Go’, ‘Russelology’, ‘Visualise’, ‘The Other Side’, ‘Experience’, ‘President’

Reviewed: Flowriders — R.U.E.D.Y. (Mr. Bongo/Unique Uncut) Cat. No. MRBCD056 Release date: 22nd October 2007
Tracklisting
1. “The Story Part 1” (2:10)
2. “President” (5:40)
3. “Roll On” (6:36)
4. “I Think I Know” (2:50)
5. “Looking Deep” (7:03)
6. “The Story Part 2” (6:18)
7. “R.U.E.D.Y.” (5:39)
8. “Better Let Go” (5:03)
9. “Russelology” (7:44)
10. “Spockabullary” (1:45)
11. “The Other Side” (4:14)
12. “Visualize” (6:20)
13. “Experience” (5:13)

Links:
www.flowridersmusic.com
www.myspace.com/flowriders
www.myspace.com/niasaw
www.mrbongo.com
www.myspace.com/mrbongorecords
www.uniquecut.co.uk
www.last.fm/music/Flowriders
Gilles Peterson :: Tracklisting 15th February 2007 :: Jon Redfern live in session from Maida Vale
Aswad — ‘Aswad Dub’ (White)
Theo Parrish ft Monica Claire — ‘Second Chances’ (White)
Future Beat Investigators — ‘Dark Suit’ (Raw Fustion)
Steepah Hunters — ‘Do It’ (White)
Flowriders ft Nia Saw — ‘Russeology’ (Unique Uncut)
Kidkanevil ft Andreya Triana — ‘Good Morning, What’s New?’ (Unique Uncut)
www.myspace.com/kidkanevil
www.andreyatriana.com