I first came across Border Crossing when listening to X FM for one of the few times. I made a mental note and then swiftly forgot about them. However when browsing the local record shop I came across the album - and when a fan of the Bristol Scene Trip-Hop and Roots Manuva sees \"Think Roots Manuva - with a wide-screen vision last seen in the urban soundtracks of Massive Attack and Portishead\" (The Independent), you can see why I bought it.
On a first listen I wondered how that statement got to press, but further listening proved it was exactly that. I tend to listen to CDs in my car, and given that not many of my journeys are longer than half an hour, I don't often listen to the last part of albums, but that suits this album fine, as in my opinion the first 5 tracks are truely awesome. 'No Go Area' is a classic British Hip-Hop track speaking of street life, with lyrics such as \"Kids playing cricket in back streets/Milk crates as wickets and leap frog over dogs.../Slappers and sluts, jammed in Kappa and push prams.\"
'More To Life' is more turntable based with the silky lyrics of a female vocalist. 'Searching For Mr. Manuva' is perhaps the weakest of the first half. It's good, just a slightly boring ode to the modern founder/pioneer of UK Hip-Hop. 'Original Heads' gets slightly more funky than its previous tracks, and incredibly catchy, pulling classic lyrics from Beck such as \"Give me two turntables and a microphone\". 'Dance For Your Life' slows it down a touch, but keeps a catchy rhythm.
Here after I feel the album drops a peg, it turns more instrumental and laid-back. It's still great stuff, but an anti-climax after the pure wicked beats of the opening half. The Hip-Hop lyrics return thanks for Jehst on 'The Alias', though its not as strong as the previous. The last two tracks carry on the laid-back/instrumental theme from before 'The Alias'.
In summary, a superb album, and not just for (Tr/H)ip-Hop lovers like myself. The Hip-Hop is mellow compared to more commercial genres, and well worth checking out if you are unaware of it. This album is a good starting point to go onto artists such as Roots Manuva and the like.
Border Crossing are Alex Angol, Seorais Graham and Paul Mulvey, who hail from West London... not the most 'street' with respect to their musical style.
1. No Go Area
2. More to Life (Ominous)
3. Searching for Mr Manuva
4. Original Heads
5. Dance for your Life
6. Taxi
7. Rankins Move
8. The Return
9. Flight Path
10. The Alias
11. Future Blues
12. Late Night Skit
Released: Unknown
Label: RG Records
8/10