Diplo has previously been known for his production skills, but broke into the forefront with a megamix for RJD2. Florida is largely instrumental, but guest vocalists grace a minority of tracks to break up the music. Of course, in true Ninja Tune/Big Dada style, Diplo manages to squeeze in some slightly off-the-wall soundbites, which is becoming somewhat of a trademark of NT and it's subsidiaries.
The LP begins slowly with a laid back introduction, however soon picks up the funk with some violins by Big Lost. The string theme continues through Sarah, whilst adding some deft piano work and some trumpets for good measure. Martina Topley-Bird commences the vocals in Money Power Respect, with her soft haunting voice perfectly placed over some subtle bass, in what is one of the highlights of the LP. By Diplo Rhythm the pace begins to pick up, with some guest MCing by Sandra Melody, Vibez Cartel & Pantera Os Danadinhos, which provides a stark contrast to the opening tracks. Towards the end of the LP the tracks tend to merge into one, with nothing particularly outstanding, just some good eclectic sounds, fused with a high level of skill to re-create the mellow sounds that opened the album.
Diplo manages to fit alot of conflicting sounds together in Florida, but does it in a way that works. This LP won't be to everyone's tastes, but certain seems to align itself with the Big Dada sound.
Although essentially a hip hop label with the likes of Roots Manuva and Ty, Big Dada is managing to carve a whole new genre of its own with artists such as Diplo, a more chilled and mellow hip hop, whilst incorporating a whole host of other influences to keep things on the right side of interesting.
More information can be found at BigDada.com.