Listening again to Basement Jaxx’s 2001 album, ‘Rooty’, it is now apparent that it was one of the forerunners to this year’s electro revival. ‘Kish Kash’, the Brixton duo’s third album, is similar, though once again the scope of their music is so wide it’s hard to predict what lead others will follow.

There’s the stirring soul with a big beat disco twist of opening track ‘Good Luck’ is and the magnificent growling blues of ‘Supersonic’. A number of tracks are possessed by a frenzied funk, as if Prince has visited the studio with some of his Watchtower magazines and ran riot in the studio, while current single ‘Lucky Star’ certainly puts the bang in bhangra.

Basement Jaxx’s powers of foresight are to the fore on the latter track, which features a hyper rap from recent Mercury Music Award winner, Dizzie Rascal. While Goth legend Siouxie Sioux appears on the rocking title track just as old metal is beginning its fight-back.

There are few moments of quiet on ’Kish Kash’, save the odd spaced-out interludes. Throughout the duo continuously unleash a wild energy on a range of musical styles. Even if it doesn’t always work you are propelled along by their sheer force and verve.

Despite the obvious influences and references, everything Basement Jaxx do sounds fresh. This may have as much to do with their unpretentious dance floor spirit, as their own originality, but it ensures ‘Kish Kash’ will be filling dance floors in winter months ahead. No doubt its influence will see a few more.

words: Colm Larkin

Downlode exclusive tracks from the Basement Jaxx website by logging onto www.basementjaxx.com with a copy of ‘Kish Kash’ at the ready.

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