Roots Manuva's
Awfully Deep was a promising record, but it often sounded hamstrung by its protagonist's wish to make an important album statement, one where every note and every word could be carefully considered.
Alternately Deep, a compilation of period remixes and singles tracks, could well be a more satisfying listen, because it's relaxed and uncomplicated. The songs may not say as much as their predecessors -- even when Mr. Smith proclaims "Don't nobody got no love for Smith" in the first track -- but the tracks are far superior; most are produced by
Manuva himself, and they hit harder with the digital distortion and bizarre, ringing tones that Big Dada fans know and love. ~ John Bush