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Review: Groove Armada - 'Soundboy Rock'
Review: Groove Armada - 'Soundboy Rock'

Dance music’s perennials continue to bloom…

It's hard to avoid the monster bassline of Groove Armada's latest single 'Get Down' or indeed the rampant bunny sex which plagues the video. Coming over like a small mammal-loving grime-y Basement Jaxx, it's a confident and attention grabbing return which hails a new edgy sound from one of dance music's most perennial production duos.

Such blistering, bouncy beats aren't always the norm on the new album 'Soundboy Rock'. Yes, there's plenty of raucous, club inspired tracks, but Groove Armada were always good at gentler pieces too such as their collaboration with Jeb Loy Nichols on 'What's Your Version'. which is this album's 'At The River' moment.

Ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena also brings some pop class to 'Song 4 Mutya (Out Of Control)' as does Angie Stone on 'Feel The Same As You', proving that this band's massive success has always been down as much to their ability to turn out radio-friendly hits as to their respect for dance music’s underground roots.

Other prominent guests include drummer Tony Allen, soul singer Candi Staton and members of Simian Mobile Disco and The Rakes. There's plenty of floor-shaking ragga basslines and rude boy yelps with plenty of great riffs amongst many contagious songs.

'Soundboy Rock' is Groove Armada's best album to date. It won't be 'underground' enough for purists but it will certainly be fun, soulful, clever and edgy enough for the rest of us.

Groove Armada
'Soundboy Rock' out on Sony BMG. Available on Amazon.co.uk.

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