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Is it longer than it takes Hi-Tek to follow up his debut album with Hi-Teknology²? Oh yeah! In fact, it’s twice as long as it’s been ten years! No wonder they use the first two tracks to get us up to speed, name checking “Woody in Toy Story 2” on the title track and using ‘I Believe In Miracles’ as a soundtrack for their own ‘Miracle’ reformation tune.

Founded by Speech, Arrested Development’s place in the Hall Of Fame is guaranteed with the success of their debut album, 3 years, 5 months and 2 days in the life of... So can they produce anything to match hit singles ‘Tennessee’, ‘People Everyday’ and ‘Mr. Wendal’?

Well if you believe what they say, commercial success is not their main aim. After the small self-indulgence of the first two tracks, ‘Stand’ starts with “It’s better to write for ourselves and have no public than to write for the public and have no self”! Well if this is the mission statement for the eight piece collective, they’ll be in trouble as there are enough radio friendly tunes on this 13-track re-launch to appeal to the masses.

There’s the happy clap of ‘Down & Dirty’, the gospel soul ‘Heaven’ that drifts into a roots calypso rap, the Latin flava of ‘Sao Paulo’ and expect ‘Sunshine’ to happen later in the year (as soon as the sun comes out is my guess).

It seems their reformation has come just at the right time as much of the big brag bullshit that was hip-hop’s millstone on a heavy gold chain for so long is at last losing its appeal (and sales). Speech (who recently turned up on Closer) is joined by the current Arrested Development family of Montsho Eshe, One Love and Nicha (all lead vocals), Rasa Don, aka Don Norris (drummer, vocalist/graphic artist), 74 year old Baba Oje (elder/dancer/vocalist), JJ Boogie (guitar and programming) and Za (bass and programming).

A little surprisingly, the best tracks on this album don’t particular fall their in the trademark relaxed inspirational vibe. Even if ‘Inner City’ slips into sixties samba sample at times it takes its beat from the streets and the boogie turns to funk with the James Brown homage, ‘I Know I’m Bad’.

‘Got The Feeling’ is their warp of southern hip hop Latin soul in a Trouble Funk soup which leads into the soulful downtempo ‘Caught Me’. I particularly like the part of the chorus: “Baby - you caught me at a bad time. In my life - my head is off the hook like a busy line”.

Who hasn’t felt like their head has been off the hook at some time or other, especially when ‘Nobody Believes Me Anyway’. This is the title to the last track and is a great ending in a modal hip-hop climax.

There is only one to really avoid, ‘It’s Time’, which has kids joining in on the chorus. This might have worked once for Pink Floyd, but please, never again.

A really solid comeback and a pleasure to have Arrested Development on form, even if we have to wait for the second half for the best tracks. After all this time since we last heard them, it’s not too long to wait all things considered.

Hectic Mix nominations: ‘Inner City’, ‘I Know I’m Bad’, ‘Caught Me’, ‘Nobody Believes Me Anyway’, ‘Stand’.

Reviewed: Arrested Development - Since The Last Time (Edel) Cat. No. 0174492ERE Released Date: 20th December 2006
Tracklisting
1. Since The Last Time
2. Miracles
3. Down And Dirty (Clap Your Hands)
4. Heaven
5. Sao Paulo
6. Sunshine
7. Stand
8. It’s Time
9. Inner City
10. I Know I’m Bad
11. I Got The Feeling
12. Caught Me
13. Nobody Believes Me

Links
www.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com
www.speechmusic.com
James Brown all-nighter at Plastic People. Wednesday Jan 17 - free entry strictly James and his family all night long! roadblock! Address: 147 - 149 Curtain Road, London tel: 020 7739 6471