DUAL CONTROL ‘LEFT OR RIGHT?’ (GRAND CENTRAL)

I realised I probably annoyed my editor because I kept listening to this instead of reviewing it. The debut album on Manchester hip-hop label Grand Central from Dual Control is full of nice musical surprises, from MC Solaar-like orchestral breaks over solid hip hop beats to James Bond piano lilts and string arrangements. I would be lying if I were to say there was a central theme to each track, because the darker r’n’b ragga tracks (yes, really!) lend this album a compendium feel. However each track has been produced to a very high standard, with good sample use and good tunes all round.

Most tracks, like the single ‘Stoned Mason’, are on the mellower side, and I found that like some ingenious animal, the album had buried itself in my regularly played pile almost immediately. It also ranks highly on the foot tapping and head nodding scales at certain key points.

A strong and often surprising variety of styles that works as a journey with no fixed destination. Well worth popping it on and putting your ears up for a while to see where you go. Very pleasant indeed.

words: Rufus Sanders

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