ROOTS MANUVA Awfully Deep Big Dada ****

Entire genres have sprung up within British hip-hop since Rodney Smith (aka Roots Manuva) last came to save it. But while The Streets, Dizzee Rascal et al. may be currently thriving under his influence - retooling the cultural bric-a-brac of reggae, ragga, dub and electronica laid down by 2001's seminal Run Come Save Me - the mercurial MC now seems unsure whether to lead the charge or quit the scene.

From the first shallow beat and fathomless bass of this infectious and atmospheric follow-up, Smith's rhymes are edgy with personal struggle. Mind 2 Motion sounds a triumphal return, but combat flares within every image: "syntactical tacklers more volatile than the Gaza strip". The riveting title track, all lurching electronica and twisted lyrics, sets an even more troubled tone. Awfully Deep, in fact, might be the most overwhelming depiction of paranoia that it's still possible to dance to.

The ongoing tension of the album and its trenchant lyrics, from the wayward melody of Colossal Insight to the fiery determination of Chin High, bristles between fight and flight. It's all about survival. The lyrics can seem uncertain, but the music never does. Embedded in a confidently layered production, Awfully Deep sounds almost luxurious compared to the current austerity of grime. One wonders what his contemporaries will make of Manuva's journey into hell and back. But while it may be tough going (deep even), Manuva never loses his stride.

www.rootsmanuva.co.uk Peter Crawley