Simbad - Supersonic Revelation

Simbad has worked with names such as Robert Owens and Bugz In The Attic, and that talent clearly shows on this album. This work mainly sits on the border between soul and house, but manages to encompass dancehall, hip-hop and broken-beat. A variety of guest vocalists lend their talents to different tracks, which produces mixed results. Shine, featuring Yolanda (last heard animating Pinch's Underwater Dancehall album) launches the album with a strong combination of rich vocals, fractured beats and tense atmospherics, and the rap-based Controlversy stands out for its political content and unusual rhythm. The problem is that these highlights make the rest of the album sound plain in comparison. Although it's enjoyable and pleasant to listen to, there's very little that is striking about it. There is plenty here to suggest what Simbad is capable of, which only makes the rest a frustrating listen. [Scott Ramage]