Fat Freddy's Drop – Live at Roundhouse

As someone who visited Aotearoa this year, I can tell you that the Kiwis go mental for FFD: the reggae/roots scene is huge down there, perhaps as it seems to fit the stereotype of the country itself – laidback, accessible and mainly experienced under a fug of marijuana smoke. This is a recording of the seven-piece’s December 2008 show at the Roundhouse in Camden, London, and the fact that its 77 minutes only lets them chug through six tracks (no Midnight Marauders, though!) is an indicator of how much FFD get well and truly lost in the groove.

It’s always been said that they’re a group who sound better on stage than in the studio, and Live… confirms it: without the constraints an album brings, their Down-Under dub, New World soul and effortless funk, all anchored by Joe Dukie’s commanding vocals, makes for a potent hit. Expansive, tight and superbly potent. [Euan Ferguson]