Reviewed by Steve Hayes

'Heroes For Sale' has become a major hit Stateside for the hip-hop R&B fusion man and this, his official debut, deserves its growing legion of purchasers. Speaking about the theme of the album the New York-based singer and rapper said, "We make heroes out of a lot of things. We make heroes out of people. We believe ourselves to be greater than we really are. We make ourselves look like heroes to other people. What I really wanted to do is show the brokenness of the heroes that we create and the heroes that we try to be in order to show that there is ultimately only one great hero." The project explodes with "Superhuman" which after a slightly eerie intro develops into a rolling beat where Andy determines he should just be "looking for the Son". The skills shown by Andy and his multitude of guests are exemplary. You haven't heard double-timing until you check "The Saints" go marching in, with KB & Trip Lee. "Ayo!" is a serious bass-laden party banger while the assertive "Cocky" has an eminently catchy radio friendly vibe. Mineo's need of intimacy and love are addressed in the personal "Curious". Production is wonderfully varied - from the near dubstep basslines of "Shallow" through to the Spanish flows of "Uno Uno Seis" where Lecrae brings more lyrical fireworks. Other standouts are the kicked back vibe of "Caught Dreaming" and "Still Bleeding" where we can feel Andy's pain of another broken relationship ("You tried to kill me with your words/But now I use words to make a living with a DJ/Oh how the table's turned/So I'm'a use mine to point people to the Saviour"). Couldn't end more perfectly than with "Death Has Died" where we look to heaven, over inspirational sounds and vocals. An essential set.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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