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Even if Intergalactic Soul isn’t really a concept album as such, there’s definitely a coming together of DJ Spinna’s hip hop, funk, jazz, breaks and house influences; even a Kraftwerk cover version gets in.

For the Brooklyn born DJ who’s remixed “everybody” (not only your mega stars of Michael Jackson, George Michael, Mary J. Bilge but also De La Soul, Mos Def and Roy Ayers) he’s managed to call up some top guests such as N’Dea Davenport (ex-Brand New Heavies), Stephanie McKay (who we loved when she was on tour with Amp Fiddler), Lizz (‘When I See Love’) Fields and Tortured Soul.

The album starts with some hip hop of Alphonso Greer and the helium voiced Phonte. N’Dea’s contribution on ‘Where’s Your Love’ starts with an unpromising “bom-bom” intro but it picks up with RH Factor style horns. A bit of a grower this one as Ms. Davenposrt is very good as per usual.

The funk on the Free Radikalz ‘Outta Time’ was previously on a 12” and one that I was keen for it’s Amp Fiddler feel. The Free Radikalz also help out on the closing track which is more Prince like but love the choice of ex-Fiddler backing vocalist Stephanie McKay on ‘Peace And Quiet’. This is a highlight along with the modern soul of ‘Back 2 U’ with Selan guesting.

The inclusion of the cover of ‘Computer Love’ breaks the pace but then again, a logical tribute to the electro greatness of Kraftwerk. So along with ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ and ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ it’s turning into the summer of the cover version. I loved the original and I love this one.

Even if the woo-woo lyrics of ‘Could It Be Soon’ irritate one on first hearing, you’ll soon get over that and fall for the lush strings and Ms. Wright is made for this one, I especially like it when she sings, “I want you”. It’s also good to have Heavy back on form and ‘Show Us’ gets Tortured Soul in true cosmic fashion.

Hectic bonus points for the great cover and even though the music might not be as intergalactic as Sun Ra, Norman Connors or Lonnie Liston Smith, it is really a very fine modern soul album that will get DJ Spinna even more plaudits. He really is a star and he’s live this summer at Lovebox (23rd July) and V Festival on 19th and 20th August.

Reviewed: DJ Spinna - Intergalactic Soul (Papa Records/Shanachie) Release date: July 2006
Tracklisting:
1. Current Events (4:34) feat. Alphonso Greer
2. Intergalactic Soul (4:10) feat. Phonte
3. Where’s Your Love (4:29) feat. N’Dea Davenport
4. Outta Time (3:50) feat. Free Radiklaz
5. Back 2 U (4:56) feat. Selan
6. Peace And Quiet (6:32) feat. Stephanie Mckay
7. Butterfly Girl (4:10) feat. Eric Roberson
8. Computer Love (6:00)
9. Could It Be Too Soon (5:33) feat. Lizz Fields
10. We Can Change This World (5:02) feat. Heavy
11. Show Us (4:55)
12. Living My Life (6:08)
13. Bye Bye Bye (7:01) feat. Free Radiklaz
14. Final Events (Outro) (3:38)

Links:
www.djspinna.com
/www.myspace.com/djspinnafrombrooklyn
Straight No Chaser www.straightnochaser.co.uk DJ Spinna - Cosmic Crusader Spring/Summer 2006
www.shanchie.com