Roots Manuva – Alternatively Deep

This LP is another instalment of dark UK Hop business, which features cuts that didn’t quite make it onto « Awfully Deep ».

This LP is another instalment of dark UK Hop business, which features cuts that didn’t quite make it onto « Awfully Deep ». There’s no faulting the punishing bass, jagged beats and tough raps, but isn’t it a bit of a cheat releasing this as an album and not just sticking it on the original album as a bonus disc? Whatever the politics of this release, « Nobody’s Dancing » is an ace brass blessed unreleased cut, with defiant percussion and jolly keys. A heavy subbed up bass, reggae chords and runaway keys make the alternative mix of « Clock It » worth a listen. There’s definitely some good stuff on this ‘extensions’ type LP, but it probably won’t reach many record collectors who didn’t check « Awfully Deep ».