Groove Armada Soundboy Rock CD

Issued during 2007 in the U.K. and the following year in the U.S., SOUNDBOY ROCK finds the British techno duo Groove Armada (Andy Cato and Tom Findlay) doling out more dance-floor-ready tunes. While club-oriented anthems are the order of the day--most notably the funky, M.I.A.-like "Get Down" and "The Things That We Could Share," a propulsive track with Simian Mobile Disco associate Simon Lord--ROCK also presents some more serene moments (see the dreamy "What's Your Version?"), making for a relatively dynamic set.

Groove Armada survived longer than most in the downbeat scene because they were able to move beyond the usual sample-plus-beats formula that so quickly lost its currency by the end of the '90s. Andy Cato and Tom Findlay could create tracks with or without samples, and their production skills put them in close company with the best in the business (Air, DJ Shadow). (They even used a Jay-Z beat better than, and previous to, its commercial-rap appearance -- on The Black Album's "What More Can I Say" -- and hired Jeru the Damaja to give it a better feature.) As before, the duo trawls British clubland of the past 20 years with surprisingly great results, spanning grime features like "Get Down" (an excellent single) and housey, digitalistic productions on a pair of Candi Staton features that are worthy of Massive Attack themselves. Prince gets extra props, with the funk extravaganza "The Girls Say" (featuring the great Rhymefest) and a refreshing look at mid-'80s neo-psych with the single "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)." Critics could (and would) say that there's little here that tells you what Groove Armada sound like (aside from their influences), but the productions are perfect, the hooks are miles-wide, and most of the vocal features turn out well. [The CD was also released with bonus tracks.] ~ John Bush

Limited edition version of their 2007 album includes two bonus tracks, 'Feel the Same' (Feat. Angie Stone) and 'Hands Up' (Feat. Mistah Fab). `Soundboy Rock' is the hotly anticipated new album from Groove Armada, one of the most consistently successful dance acts of recent years. In their ten year career so far the band have sold over 2 million albums worldwide but are also internationally acclaimed DJs (they have a regular residency at Space in Ibiza) and increasingly well known through their hugely successful Lovebox Weekender Festival (40k tickets sold last year) which they founded and curate. In typical Groove Armada eclectic style, the album features a whole range of collaborators including Candi Staton, Angie Stone, Simian Mobile Disco and Mutya from Sugababes on the gorgeous `Song 4 Mutya' single (`a sure fire summer anthem' according to Metro) and is already being hailed by many as the bands best album to date 17 tracks in all. Sony/BMG.

Recording information: Miloco Studios.

Personnel: Jack Splash, Alan Donohoe, Simon Lord, Jeb Loy Nichols, Angie Stone, Candi Staton (vocals); Tim Hutton (guitar, horns, keyboards, background vocals); Andy Cato (guitar, bass guitar); Ed The Shakes, Tim Vine (keyboards); Jonathan White (bass guitar); Greg Wilson (drums, scratches); Tony Allen, Tony Allen (drums); Patrick Dawes (percussion); Beardy Man (sound effects); Ilana Rakhorst, Angela Botha, Faye Donaldson, Columbia Label Girls Choir, Joanne Morris , Emeline Ham Ying, Hayley Rowland, Halima Khatun, Red Rat, Sarah Richardson, Tim Fuller (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: David "Hard Drive" Pensado; Groove Armada; Steve Fitzmaurice.