Roni Size/Reprazent: "New Forms" (Talking Loud)

Fresh from its Mercury Prize exploits, New Forms remains a remarkable album. As drum & bass evolves into even more futuristic forms, Roni Size and his Reprazent collective have delivered this year's model of the most exciting musical genre of the moment. New Forms is astonishing in terms of what it sets out to achieve, seeking to create a benchmark for this ever-changing style and sound. While other albums aim to put drum & bass in a jazz or techno context, New Forms simply goes buckwild with the breakbeat. Of course, it's no coincidence that this album has emerged from Bristol, home of the most innovative British sounds of the past 10 years. New Forms has similar pedigree to Blue Lines and Maxinquaye and Reprazent are as every much a collective as Massive Attack. Indeed, it's the collective nature that is most instructive. Acting like a freeflowing jazz combo, Roni Size, DJ Krust, DJ Die, DJ Suv with their articulate MC Dynamite and vocalist Onallee fashion sultry beats and meaningful lyrics into grooves which twist and flow from one epic passage to another. Tracks like Share The Fall and Brown Paper Bag inhabit previously unknown worlds, where classical forms and arrangements blend with lush breakbeats and booming bass. Heroes and Ballet Dance are just as provocative, showing emotional asides not normally associated with dance music. By turns calm and storming, the Reprazent symphonies are staggering confirmations of the power and scope of the genre. New Forms is the new industry standard in the drum & bass world.