Latest grime CDs reviewed

VIRUS SYNDICATE

Sick Pay

Planet Mu ***

Grime now enjoys an international following, but Manchester collective Virus Syndicate's second album still draws on some of the attributes common to the London scene that spawned this style. In particular, Hit 'Em Highboasts a series of furious, frenetic rhymes delivered by MCs Goldfinger, JSD and Nika A, while Be Like Ushinges on a trademark grime wobbly sub-bass. However, when they try to create their own identity, the results are often mixed. Taxman Returns'bhangra samples and hip-hop beats sounds like it came from Baltimore rather than the Rainy City, while Neva Argue, which samples Bach's Second Orchestral Suite, threatens to push them into novelty act territory. Despite these clumsy moves, they impress with the high-speed jungle rhythms and rave motifs of Vibratorand the introspective Kane'n'Abel. Sick Payguarantees the collective's popularity will spread like a virus in the months ahead. www.planetmu.com RICHARD BROPHY

Download tracks: Vibrator, Kane'n'Abel, Won't Give Up