Noticeably stepping away from 2002's accessible Mind Elevation,in particular its almost radio-friendly verse-chorus-verse cuts, thelatest N.O.W. album serves not as a return to form but rather as abridge between that album and the tokeworthy downtempo delights of hispost-bleep back catalog.Boastingstellar production that shames his gaggle of imitators, the results areby-and-large gratifying, but can prove somewhat grating due to anunyielding sense of repetition. No one can deny that George Evelynknows how to lay down a damn fine groove. How effective he istranslating that into a proper song remains up for debate. Case inpoint: although exhibiting a solid foundation, opener "Passion" justbegged for something more than herbal accompaniment to prevent me fromskipping through at its midpoint, a rather rough way to start off analbum.
However, Evelyn knows how to take total control of his listeners,blunted or otherwise, and applies himself towards such means on severaloccasions here. No true roots reggae devotee could possibly pass overthe sun-drenched "Flip Ya Lid", with classic toasting, subtly dubbyechoes, and a bassline begging for a massive sound system. "I Am You"is good old fashioned American blues put through the N.O.W. ringer,lyrically sparse but sonically infused with sincere emotion andspirituality. "Damn" stands out as the true gem of this record,brimming with soulful R&B sensibility and a hefty dollop ofuplifting gospel, starkly contrasting with the desperation of thelyrics.
His best album since the essential Carboot Soul, In A Space Outta Soundgoes down easy for purists and novices alike, proving that despite evenmy own protests, Warp isn't completely useless these days.
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