I bought this album knowing nothing of David Lowe. I was simply interested in hearing Benjamin Zephaniah.
What a piece of luck then to find that this CD is a wonderful collection of music.
BZ's voice is as deep and wonderful as ever and the words are - as always - both thought provoking and at times amusing. However the surprise for me was that as much as I like the BZ songs (of which there are 4 here) the other tunes are just as good and in a couple of cases even better.
Despite the fact that the music varies from electronica, through Spanish and even uses wonderful arabic horns in a couple of places, it does not feel like an eclectic 'World music' collection. It is a set of songs to play to relax to on a hot sunny afternoon or maybe even at a dinner party.
Mieko Shimizu has a wonderful voice and I'm amazed that she has not been snapped up to appear on records by the likes of Groove Armada or similar.
The sample from Roger McGough is inspired on a lovely moving track (Oxygen).
Take the risk of buying this CD, like I did, and you won't be disappointed. Well done Mr Lowe - more please.
N.B. If listening to this CD makes you want to hear more Benjamin Zephania then you should try 'Us an Dem' which is an amazing collection of essentially 'Reggae poetry' set to music (try 'Me Luv me Mudder' from that recently reissued album).