Urban World Music captures a revitalized and re-energized
Hiroshima, full of new ideas and new ambitions. Although the title suggests that the album is composed of worldbeat explorations, that isn't quite the case. Like any
Hiroshima album,
Urban World Music is filled with fusions, but the music on this particular collection is given a slight, but noticeable, dance-oriented sheen, thanks to producer
Robin Millar (who previously worked with
Sade and
Everything But the Girl). With new lead vocalist Kimaya Sweard in tow,
Hiroshima creates a lightly funky set of jazzy soul numbers, complete with worldbeat flourishes. As always, the gruop has problems writing consistently compelling material, but when they are on, they provide some intriguing sounds and directions. In short,
Urban World Music suggests more than it delivers, but those suggestions are quite enticing on their own. ~ Leo Stanley