I read that 'Knowle West Boy' is a reference to the council estate in Bristol where Tricky grew up. He said that when he goes back there that people are pleased he's done well for himself but "I'd still get knocked out if I got mouthy in a bar". So onto his first album in 5 years... hehe he's got the obligatory shot of himself chugging on a big spliff. Opener has some soul diva vocals that remind me a bit of Christina Aguilera and then onto 'Bacative' which has some really cool drums and an MC toasting.. It seems he's cobbled together a group of talented folks to assist him with his ideas but on first listen they seem a bit confusing... almost too much happening. I'm not sure about some of the guitars like. So I head for his cover of Kylie's 'Slow' which is an erm.. interesting take on the original. Not sure what to make of this but I do like Tricky so I'm not gonna diss it... Just gotta crack on with this pile of gubbins...
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What their label says...
‘Knowle West Boy’ is the album that sums up everything that Tricky has accomplished since his 1995 ‘Maxinquaye’ debut. The album sees our misunderstood hero reaching into the post-punk, Two-Tone, reggae, hip hop and pure pop he grew up adoring, twisting it all into surreal Tricky shapes using his astonishingly accomplished band and a host of great undiscovered singers, and ending up with the most varied and accessible set of his career.
