Music Reviews
Artist:
Black GrassTitle:
ThreeLabel:
CatskillsWebsite:
http://www.black-grass.com

Cleverly titled 'Three' (its the third Black Grass album geddit) is the latest release from DJ/producer Mex and his floating cast of guests. The “witches brew style” (his words) is back and sees upbeat hip hop mixed with reggae, funk and electronica.
This time round Brighton based Black Grass has brought in J-Live, Dionne Charles (Baby Charles), and Aaron Phiri (Hearin' Aid) to provide the vocals; reggae representations are made by Benjamin' and Jah Marnyah. The result is fifty minutes of feel good funk heavy hip hop; think J5 but a little less constrained to one sound.
“This album is my Return of the Jedi,” explains Mex comparing his three works to another famous trilogy. “Whereas 'A Hundred Days' was my Empire Strikes Back, and was quite dark, this is more fun with a couple of Ewoks thrown for laughs.”
Highlights include J-Live spitting over some rusty Spanish guitars on 'Set it Straight', the wacky Western intro on the instrumental 'Quetzalcoatl Returns' and any one of Dionne Charles' sultry contributions.
Reviewed by : Joe Kent