Black Grass A Hundred Days In One

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Styles:  hip-hop/funk/breaks
Others: Quantic, Bonobo, Mr. Scruff

The times, they are a changin.’ The 2004 self-titled debut of Brighton’s Black Grass saw a fusion of the turntablist ear of Mex and the youthful zeal of one Carl Faure. However, Faure began to dedicate himself to running a club called Bleep some time thereafter, which left Mex to put together the follow-up all by his lonesome. It shows. In light of A Hundred Days In One, Carl’s exuberance translated well into their debut, making it an unexpectedly body-moving, experimental treat that blurred the boundaries of hip-hop, funk, and breaks just as much as it pushed them. The new album, although it still exists in that fine blurry area, is obviously more one-dimensional in the production department. Luckily, that’s the Mex dimension, which is a pretty good place to figuratively be. The tweakin’ horn sample led “Oh Jah” aptly covers the political reggae end under Jah Marnyah’s lyrics, while “Don’t Leave Me This Way” rides a bass-heavy soul groove care of singer Dominique Noiret, coming out as the album highlight. And yet, Okou’s attempt at a Noiret-like track, glomming over an '80s porn funk instrumental, strikes with distinctly less soul. Having Carl there really woulda filled in those moments when the album starts to lag and lose spirit. Passion makes all the difference, and A Hundred Days In One has sequel written all over it.

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