| His golden patch
was between 1983-1988, wherein he created an output of consistently high pedigree,
unequalled since. Part of his power was his fearlessness, his ability to strip
bits from the Beatles psychedelic period, mix it over a tight George Clinton groove
and supplant slightly out of synch female vocals over the top. The results were
frankly astounding, and, crucially, funky fun. On their second album, Basement
Jaxx takes this regal baton and runs with it. "Rooty"' s tripartite opening musical
assault ("Romeo", "Breakaway" and "SFM") revisits the site of Prince's halcyon
period, his psychedelic funky cartoon world and takes it to another level. Immediately
proving what they suggested with their debut.1999's "Remedy", that they are one
of the most vital and fun bands operating within the mainstream today.
If their sound has gone more purple in its tone, that has only resulted
in an improved sense of what made Remedy so universally likeable. In part
that is, the bands simplicity. Basement Jaxx still mix hooky R'n'B with their
own bitches' brew, but since their debut, they have added new flavours to their
palettes. There is the St.Etienne/John Barry vibe of Broken Dream and Where's
Your Head At? with it's License To Ill period Beasties delivery.
While these songs are successful attempts at of U-turns in style, the meat
of "Rooty", what makes it a great album, as opposed to a great collection of songs,
is Basement Jaxx fearlessness. Even following Remedy the band forge forward,
unashamedly innovative in their meshing of sounds.
The name for the album,
Rooty recalls the underground parties that the band has thrown for their
mates in deepest Brixton. Extending this idea to the sound of the album, one listen
to it and the listener is left confused, shocked but ultimately feeling as if
they have just been to a mad, invite only soiree. Like the carnival spectacle
they created with last years Glastonbury, they throw a crazy pick and mix of (aural)
delights for the listener. Aside from the warped funk of the aforementioned tracks,
they managed to produce Just 1 Kiss, a potential future single that recall
the summery, shiny Ibiza melodies of Modjo's Lady. I Want U is a mad little
elf of a track that spikes the drink of early B52's with something very badd.
Finally, Crazy girl evokes the spirit of old school DJ Kevin Saunderson,
and mixes it with a genuinely touching vocal line and lyric. Rooty is a
very special album, in which Basement Jaxx have outdone themselves. It is the
sound of pigeonholes bursting and genres melting, and that's an excellent noise. Review
by Priya Elangasinghe FOR ALL THE VERY LATEST ON THIS BAND - CHECK OUR
FRONTPAGE NEWS HERE 
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