Weekly > Reviews
Black Grass - Three
I was blown away by the self-titled Black Grass debut album back in 2003, it seemed to tie up various genres of UK urban music into one album, with hip-hop tracks sitting comfortably next to funk and soul and was a real shot in the arm I felt.
It added to the already impressive Catskills reputation, a label that I’ve long held affection for (hell I daily drink coffee from a green Catskills Records cup and I can’t say that about every record label I like), in fact I’d go as far as to say they could be my favourite record label.
In 2006 they returned with their second album A Hundred Days In One, it was good, more soulful still than the debut, but just lacked something, I’ve gone back to the Black Grass album loads of times since, but this record has probably only made it onto my stereo two or three times since it’s release. So album number three is a big album for Mex, he really needs to nail it and make sure that things get back on track, but who am I to doubt him?
I shouldn’t because Three is a blinding return to form, every single track adds something of real merit to the album and once again the styles are mixed up throughout. As you would expect from a Black Grass album it’s also choc full of collaborations, but again they don’t get in on the act for the sake of it, they all bring something to the table of real value.
The star of the show for me is Dionne Charles who adds vocals to three tracks, Without Your Love, How Much Can You Take and my favourite on the album Hold Fire. All three tracks are classy soul/funk tracks that take their inspiration from the late 60’s early 70’s peak funk/soul period.
- Black Grass
- Three (2008)
- Category: Album
- Label: Catskills Records
- Reviewed by: Kev
- Published on: 19 May 2008
- Comments: 0
- Beat Surrender Rating:
Weblinks
Add to favouritesThis isn’t just a funk album though, hip-hop is predominant as well as J-Live once again delivers a really laidback flow on Set It Straight, Makin Emcees Run splices up funk and hip-hop and This & That is a super track that features The Good People.
Bless brings a soulful element to the album with it’s downtempo groove and Stormy Weather and Bass Man both have a real summer feel to them with a ska and reggae feel to the two tracks respectively.
Up to this point in the year MGMT were winning the best album of the year award hands down, they now have a really serious contender on their hands in the shape of Three.
Have your say...
Comment Guidlines
You must be logged in to post a comment. Go Login or Register first.
We waffle on enough without letting you lot do it too. Comments are limited to 300 characters.
Try and keep on topic if you can and no insulting the contributors. All hate mail can be addressed to Kev.