Slime and Reason

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 5021392123820 Label: Big Dada Manufacturer: Big Dada Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Big Dada Release Date: 2008-09-01 Studio: Big Dada
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Editorial Reviews: Slime and Reason presents an altogether more cheery Rodney Smith to the troubled soul we met on 2005's Awfully Deep, a record that found its creator battling depression and fighting demons from the psychiatrist's chair. Indeed, lead-off single "Buff Nuff" is possibly Roots Manuva's plain silliest track to date, a wobbly dancehall number produced by Sheffield newcomer Toddla T. Elsewhere on Slime and Reason, though, we find Roots Manuva seeking a happy mid-point between gloom and frivolity, musing on life and love with his unique philosophy of world-wearied wisdom, fire-and-brimstone religion, and sly British humour. "Again and Again" is one of Roots' finest tracks to date, a bumping British digi-reggae cut featuring a cameo from Ricky Ranking. "Let the Spirit Move You", produced by Metronomy's Joseph Mount, is balmy electro-pop in a minor key. And "It's Me Oh Lord" finds Smith revisting his past as the child of a Pentecostal preacher, a chilly gospel number swathed in thick, gloopy synthesiser, heavy with spiritual musings. Slime and Reason might be diverse in tone, but it's the sort of record that allows a talent like Smith to show off his range, and on this evidence, there's few who can touch him. ––Louis Pattison
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: best british hip-hop album by a mile Comment: I've been a fan of Roots Manuva for a while but it only took me one listen to be sure this is the best thing he's ever done. It hasn't been off my stereo since. If you like hip-hop you need this record. Customer Rating: Summary: The best album yet!!! Comment: This is the best album Roots Manuva has done to date. Even better than 'dare i say it' Run Come Save Me. Buy this album you wont be disapointed. Customer Rating: Summary: Roots Manuva- Slime & Reason LP Review (8.5/10) Comment: South London's finest Rooty-Toot Maunva (aka Rodney Smith) is back with his fourth and most varied album yet. 3 years since his last release proper, Roots Manuva has shown he is an artist who hasn't been afraid to experiment with his sound, implementing a host of influences from the classic roots-reggae to electro; analogue dub to rocksteady funk. His ability to fuse these base elements into a product that is undeniably his own has led to his music being instantly recognisable, what with the warping dub-plates and skanking electroid melodics. Add to this his sharp, patois-tinged, tongue-in-cheek lyrics that address issues from the music industry to urban society, gal-dem to relationships, and you have the proof behind why Roots is deservedly one of the UK's biggest hip-hop stars. With `Slime & Reason', Roots ability to craft catchy skeletal melodies out of fractured beats and warped sonic's has reached a new level. From the entrancing Dr Dre meets Burial tuneage of `The Show Must Go On' to the analog synth-attack of `It's Me Oh Lord' he injects a danceable aesthetic into already animated soundscapes. The superhero leftfield jazz-hop of `Well Alright' is like The Herbaliser meets a stripped down Cinematic Orchestra at a New Flesh concert, whilst the sidewinding 8-bit melody and out-of-sync bass burble of `Do 4 Self' proves to be an entrancing backing to Roots energetic and on-point flowage. Not content to rest on his laurels, Roots injects a wider range of Caribbean-influences into his sound, influences which are distorted and molded into the playful yet focused Manuva aesthetic. `Again + Again' is playfully ruptured calypso complete with rastafied Elephant Man-esque flows whilst `Buff Nuff' is a dirty piece of pounding bashment designed for mega-bumper shakage with its repetitively engaging choral section and fluttering tribal percussion. On `Let The Spirit', he carves out a wonderfully tranced-out 90's arcade-game synth and burbling bass oozes to create a dark and progressive instrumental for his powerful vocals. Roots Manuva's previous albums have been (ever-so-slightly) blighted by some lazy word-play as in some tracks his flows have been less than rhythmic and are reduced down to talking pace, thus not triggering off any energy. With `Slime & Reason', his verbage is perfectly aligned to the beatscapes, accelerating and decelerating with the beats to create smooth-flowing energy as well as consistency. This alongside the matured arrangements and (trademark) warm analog production techniques have led to a lavish and challenging album which is sure to delight fans of old and invite newcomers. Although there is no epic stand-out track like `Motion 5000', the release ultimately proves to be an extremely consistent long-player which continually impresses with its exciting variety, meticulously crafted and interesting beatscapes and focused, tongue-in cheek rhyming. (AM) For fans of: The Herbaliser, New Flesh for Old, Skinnyman More Reviews