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DUDLEY PERKINS Expressions (2012 a.u.) Stones Throw **Long a favoured recipient of Madlib's production genius, Dudley Perkins turns in a funk-soul album this time out with more than a hint of contrariness disguised as experimentation between the hiss and the crackle. Best known as MC Declaime, Perkins also fancies himself as a bit of a rogue with a similar line in extra-terrestrial funk to George Clinton or Bootsy Collins. But while Madlib's dirty grooves deliver the necessary sleaze time and time again, Perkins is somewhat limited when it comes to sprinkling the psychedelic stardust in the vocal booth. There's no denying the determination of Perkins, yet his aim is hit and miss. For every showboating crooner like Come Here My Dear (the album's one true trump card), there's a great deal of unfocused candyfloss to get through. www.stonesthrow.com

Jim Carroll