Reviewed by T A Sutherland

Hook-rich and funk-laden are a couple of phrases to describe a deep and creative album. Luke writes most of the lyrics and has a laid back yet unusually sharp take on life and spirituality. For me the album rises head and shoulders above the norm due in main to the scratches and production, much of which is laid on by Jayvee and Know 1 of Soft Focus. These guys deliver the richest, smoothest, multi-layered hooks and loops that I have heard in a long time. Loads of progression and plenty of unexpected stuff crop up in track after track. This is one of those albums that has the unusual ability of throwing up more and more surprises and meanings spin on spin. "Burgundy Smile" (now there's a title) sets the pace with its chill out transience that hints that this is no ordinary hip-hop. Soon, "Last Episode Of Funk" drops an (early) De La Soul-style groove with a retro feel, a candidate for major air play if ever I heard one. "Crayons" featuring Moi is a sombre biographical tale of a lost girl that meanders (poetically) through the struggles of rejection and hope of acceptance. Shortly followed by the cautionary tale of the ultimate temptress in "Satan's Little Angel", a tight funk guitar-driven beat makes this an infectious slice that despite its foreboding subject matter is often tongue-in-cheek. "'Labor Of Love" is a beautifully crafted and progressive Job-like cry of pain and loss that is surprisingly smooth and harmonic with a very frank chorus; soul searching stuff. This album is a breath of fresh air, a must have.

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