Though
Groove Armada's
Andy Cato and
Tom Findlay have been justly praised for their production talents, the duo's fourth album,
Lovebox, takes them down the path of production gloss. The opener, "Purple Haze," features
Nappy Roots backed by a restrained guitar grind, while
Richie Havens (making a repeat appearance) contributes yet another deeply felt performance on "Hands of Time." "Final Shakedown" rips a page from the
Basement Jaxx book, with a swinging, slapping house production and the ragga-tinged vocals of
Red Rat. "Madder," the only track on the album performed by a band, rides a groove straight out of
the Clash's "Magnificent Seven," with a solid sung-spoken rap by
M.A.D. Another track that works well is "Remember," a gradually ascending epic with a sampled
Sandy Denny vocal (lifted from
Fairport Convention's
Unhalfbricking) echoed by the affirmations of
the London Community Gospel Choir. ~ John Bush