GROOVE ARMADA – Lovebox

Groove Armada have definitely been defying my expectations over recent releases. Their output has been really innovative and would surprise anyone who was only familiar with their infamous chillout anthem 'At the River' single from way back when. So I was quite looking forward to checking “Lovebox”, and I must admit, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have really mixed it up this time out.

Anyone expecting more chillness will be woken from his or her slumber as the opener, ‘Purple Haze’, is downright rock. With standard riffing over a baggy groove and some fly rhyming, it makes for an intriguing beginning. More electro-hip hop tones appear with Neneh Cherry (where has she been??) providing the vox over funky groove, which alas, never really develops. Even those these openers are well off familiar turf for Groove Armada, you never really feel they are stretching themselves. Neneh also drops in on ‘Remember’, a slow dubby little burner, and ‘Think Twice’ which is a soul drenched, piano driven slice of downbeat. Groove Armada find their feet in more their familiar dance style and the middle portion of the album has some excellent numbers. While these aren’t as ‘experimental’, there’s some excellent stuff going on, especially the dub toned ‘Be careful what you say’. ‘Hands of Time’ will find its place on many late night mixes, with a sweet instrumental somewhat obscured by the (by no means bad) vocal from Richie Havens (so keep an eye out for a release on some b-side or other!). My surprise was complete when I heard the ragga dancehall flow of Red Rat competing for space alongside more traditional house beats on ‘Final Shakedown’ and it works, prompting echoes of the UK garage scene. Forthcoming single release ‘Easy’ (with Sunshine Anderson) is a pumping slice of meaty disco-house which you’ll no doubt be hearing a your local Friday night house nite. On a random note, ‘Tuning in’ made me think of those Primals/Roses times for some reason… After easing themselves into familiar territory GA slide out there again on the ska tinged electro funk of the closer ‘But I feel good’. This is probably my fave, blending the vibe from de islands with some tight UK rapping to good effect.

It seems to be a trend these days, established ‘electronic’ (for want of a better word!) bands are really adding to their music from their experiences of playing live. There is an abundance of live musicianship on this really eclectic album with performance obviously in mind. Not all is to my taste, but there are some gems in there without doubt. I urge you to check for yourself !!!