House, R&B, Soul & Rap > UK House House, R&B, Soul & Rap > 2000 to 2005 > XL

Advantages: Basement Jaxx aren't just what they seem!
Disadvantages: The album could be too diverse for some people!

...listening to their third album, Kish Kash, I can definitely tell that this is not your standard club music. Their are anonymous diva vocal remixes of popular songs I often hear when I drag my friends out to the clubs. If nothing else, the vocal collaborations ( Me'Shell NdegéOcello, Siouxsie Sioux ) indicate something special. Kish Kash starts out strong with the track 'Good Luck', which is of a drum & bass style. Complex bass lines support Me'Shell ...
...have claimed that Kish Kash isn't quite as heady or progressive as Jaxx's first two albums? I feel this is true in a way, but I was waiting for something different from them, which they acheived with great results. Overall, a fantastic album with little to let you down. ... Read review

Advantages: some great tracks, totally original style
Disadvantages: sounds better in a club than on the CD player

A munching gorilla set against a background of stars and vivid pink isn't a look that too many music stars would go for on the front of their albums. However, Brixton's Basement Jaxx aren't your orthodox band. Known to their mothers as Simon Ratcliffe and Simon Buxton, they have been producing music together for almost a decade, although it was only with 1999's 'Remedy' that they fully hit the big time. Whilst Ibiza anthems like 'Red Alert' and 'Rendezvous' ...
...the height of its powers, 'Rooty' was released during a period when only trance seemed to be making an impact on the charts. Unfortunately, due the public's wish to by songs featuring anonymous blonde women singing cliched lyrics over a dull and recycled tune, 'Rooty' wasn't as big a success as it should have been. However, it remains one of the better dance albums to be released this decade. The album begins with 'Romeo', which was the first song ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of variety
Disadvantages: A few weaker tracks

"Certified" is the fourth album from the Mississippi rapper David Banner. I thought that I had to go back seeing that I enjoyed his latest 2008 release, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" so much, so I thought that I would see similar quality from this 2005 piece, which has him do both the rapping and a fair proportion of the production. 1. "Lost Souls" To get things going we drive straight into some straight Dirty South rap. I found that he was effective ...
...wislt managing ito integrate his influences of Rock into things with some guitar work too. **Three Stars** 2. "Treat Me Like A" (feat. Jadakiss) I still don't get how Jadakiss keeps thinking he can on some Crunk beats, but he does it once again as Lil' Jon does the production, and aside the parts which Jada takes up, it is a strong Hip Hop cut for the clubs. **Four Stars** 3. "Gangsta Walk" (feat. Three 6 Mafia, Marcus, 8Ball & MJG) On this one ... Read review

Advantages: Consistent quality
Disadvantages: One slip in quality

"Me Against The World" is the third album by the West Coast Rap legend 2Pac who was killed in 1996 as a result of a fatal shooting. The album came a year before this and has him rapping in what has been called a "nothing to lose" persona as he raps during a difficult time in his life as he was shot five times late in 1994, and was in prison for the release of the record. Despite all this, he was able to top the charts with his music, even with him ...
..."Intro" 2. "If I Die 2Nite" Heavy in bitter alliteration, this one has 'Pac's attitude for the whole release summed up as he really just doesn't care what happens to himslef, as he lives each day for what it is, and knows there's no point in pre-planning anything. **Four Stars** 3. "Me Against The World" Giving him a littel sample of G-Funk with a synth-based prodcution to hand, this one has the artist come with adesperate track, where he describes ... Read review

Advantages: Full to brim with excellent songs
Disadvantages: It's been re-released with extra tracks

What can I say? I love this album! When Rihanna first appeared on the scene I found her style a bit nasal but that's all changed with this album. I do find myself skipping through her slower love songs but that's just my own personal taste and they are no less exceptional lyric-wise than the more up-beat tracks. And believe me there are plenty of get-up and dance tracks on this CD, and not just those that have been released as singles. 'Shut up and ...
...whilst 'Lemme Get That' is a definite booty-shaker and 'Breaking Dishes' will speak volumes to most of the female populous. Even the mildly annoying 'Umbrella' (come on who hasn't found ella-ella-ella a tad annoying by the 25th time?) gets a regular play on my stereo. I would definitely recommend this album as a buy. The only shame is I now have to buy the re-released album as it's got new tracks included on it. ... Read review