Basement Jaxx - Crazy Itch Radio

No doubt Basement Jaxx rest easy at night, safe in the knowledge they've nailed the formula for catchy tracks. 'Crazy Itch Radio' is their most pop and r&b-orientated offering yet, with a strong focus on the vocals, with numerous female artists taking the helm including Vula Malinga, Linda Lewis, and Lily Allen (backing vocals). A dramatic start courtesy of the London Session Orchestra opens the album followed by a radio jingle interlude, used to draw together the songs in smooth radio mix style. Biz Markie joins Vula for Jaxx's first single release, Hush Boy; a mix of upbeat r&b and pop with a driving rhythm background. There's a similar theme to Take Me Back To Your House and Hey U, with dashes of soul on On The Train and Latino carnival designs on Run For Cover (a tasteful narrative of 'mingers'). Missy Elliott's catchy beat structures have filtered their way into the trendiest songs this year courtesy of Timbaland, and Jaxx have taken these (and apparently hormone replacement therapy - it's a CD more apt for venues where the average age of the crowd is 20) on board and twisted them for their own devilish chart-topping means. Attention should be paid to the more sedate Lights Go Down however; it features Linda Lewis, who has previously worked with Turin Brakes and Jamiroquai, and the track stands out from the manic pace and energy infusing 'Crazy Itch...' with softer guitar, Enya hums and rich strings set to a moderate tempo. [Alex Burden]