Its All About The Stragglers
(London Records/Warner)
Craig David may be the pin-up boy of the UK garage scene, but Artful Dodger are, alongside M J Cole, its driving force. Last year was undoubtedly the year of Two-Step in Britain, the most significant development in the British music scene since drum 'n' bass and trip hop.
Hailing from the south coast, Artful Dodger (Mark Hill and Pete Devereux) burst on to the scene with Re-Rewind, one of the biggest hits of 2000, which featured David on vocals. They followed this up with a passable compilation album of the same name, which combined their own work with cuts from artists such as M J Cole and All Saints.
Its All About The Stragglers is, however, their true debut. Eleven stripped-down tracks created by Hill and Devereux together with a selection of collaborators, again including David. From the opening twinkling piano chords (very Robert Miles) and saccharine vocals of Michelle Escoffery on Think About Me, the album is full of catchy hooks, trademark Two-Step beats and genuinely good tunes.
Hill and Devereux ply a more traditional garage sound than some of their contemporaries, blending R&B and hazy rhythms over the trademark bump 'n' grind. The results can be enjoyed at home or out on the dancefloor, nowhere more so than on the track Something. Other standouts include the pulsating r u ready with MC Alastair rapping over dramatic strings, infectious beats and loops, I Can't Give It Up, a surefire pop hit, and the single Woman Trouble, featuring David. UK garage may be destined to run out of steam, but Its All About The Stragglers keeps it motoring along nicely.