House, R&B, Soul & Rap > G House, R&B, Soul & Rap > up to 5 GBP

Advantages: Good beats
Disadvantages: Bad Language

The Documentary is the best West Coast street-rap album since DJ Quik's 2002 LP Under tha Influence. All of the G-Unit solo albums thus far have been aesthetically unified, a rarity in hip-hop; the tracks on The Documentary actually sound like they belong on the same album. Dre produces five of the album's 17 songs, applying his recent stripped-down cinematic style, and many of the record's other producers follow his lead. Superstar beatmakers like ...
...fitting their usual approaches into the album's fabric. The end result is a rich, triumphant sonic tapestry; you can hear every dollar that went into it. The Game is not a particularly singular rapper. His hoarse, guttural voice doesn't possess any of the relaxed menace of classic West Coast rappers; he sounds more like Tha Dogg Pound member Daz Dillinger than Eazy or Snoop or The D.O.C. He has an appealing confidence and an unforced lyrical toughness, ... Read review

Advantages: Eclectic, varied, happy-vibes.
Disadvantages: None

Soundboy Rock is the latest and 7th release for the Cambridge based duo, Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. Loosely described as electronic or funk, their genre has surpassed the hedonisitic, late 90's pop madness, and deposited them into the chill out category. Groove Armada were first recognised in 1997, their claim to fame being a limited single known as "At The River", a track that sampled "Old Cape Cod" by Patti Page, and would slowly propel them towards ...
...headlining this year's event! Soundboy Rock is a first in a while for Groove Armada in terms of an eclectic, capricious collective of some damn fine tracks, cunningly co-ordinated into a steady torrent of trip-tastic tunes. Upon reflection, SoundBoy Rock takes much of it's innovation from the 2001 album "Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)" seeing a return to the break-beat, trip hop styling we loved. The album emanates individuality, and the genre-swinging ... Read review

Advantages: Great laid back groovy beats, consistently good tunes
Disadvantages: long intros

...The album brings together the best known songs.... -Superstylin (great mood lifting dance anthem) -At the River (you'll remember it as "If you're fond of sandunes") -If Everybody looked the same -I see you Baby (starting to annoy me now it's on the renault ad but a good tune all the same) You might also know the summer feelgood classic "My friend" from the album goodbye country hello nightclub. The other tunes are certainly not fillers, most ...
...One of my favourite tracks "Easy" illustrates their only down point, their intros can be just a bit too long. Whilst the intro's do add an atmospheric build up, I often prefer the remixes which cut to the chase. Overall, fantastic album which leaves you with a great summery feel, and not a bit of cheese in sight! If you get a chance to see them in concert, go see. a great talent not to be missed! ... Read review

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

So it is time for another op, well I have decided to a crack down on my CD’s that I own, and let me tell you there are quite a few. As some of you may now I have an extremely wide taste in music, (Eva Cassidy and now Groove Armada!)? It is quite amazing actually; I can listen to classical and then turn on pop, dance or soul. This is what I adore about music, it is what you make it, you decide, and you stay in control. I was first introduced ...
...that?) and it came with a free CD. It had a wicked remix of ‘If Everybody Looked The Same’ and so I splashed out and got the album. When I first listened I was impressed, second time I was shocked and third amazed. This album releases new experiences every time you listen … 1. Chicago – This track starts really well, it has the sound of a car engine revving up and an eerie sound in the background that sounds great mixed together. ... Read review

Advantages: one of the true greats
Disadvantages: none at all whatsoever in any way shape or form

Not an easy one to approach ,a bit like trying to review the bible or Star Wars ,if you are one of the few people who havent heard "Whats Going On",then i can only urge you to try it ,this review will not make any difference as such but an idea of whats contained within may whet your appetite . The "masterpiece "accolades have poured thick and fast since this l.p was released in 1971 on the slowly fading Tamla Motown label,any expectations based ...
...applicable ,this record was a one off and the first of its kind ,from the sax floated title track to its gospel infused conclusion of "Inner City Blues ",everything in between is linked like movements in a symphony as Marvin Gaye unleashes his own frustration and sadness on the state of America (circa1971) . If you are familiar with the title track then nothing on this album veers too far away from that glorious floaty despair,each songs soul bleeds ... Read review