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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Off 2 "Zambia", May 15, 2005
One of the first things to know about the Baby Namboos is that writer/programmer Mike Porter is the cousin of British hip-hopper Tricky. And it was Tricky who encouraged his cousin to create this band, along with some pals. Well, I feel indebted to Tricky for that action.
Their only album, "Ancoats 2 Zambia," is an underrated piece of trip-hop, flavoured with reggae and rap. It's dark, moody, but with its moments of oddness and humor. "I am Tony Guest, I live in Manchester. I go to Bristol now and again to see the skinheads... Oh stop laughin' now," says guest Tony Guest on the intro, as an unseen audience laughs at strange moments.
But things take a less playful turn almost instantly. Singer/designer Aurora Borealis sings the anguished ballad "Hard Times," in a soft, cracked voice that sounds like she's about to cry. Then the Baby Namboos swerve into tribal hip-hop, gothic electrorap, and mournful ballads.
The rest of the album speed by in a blur of mournful singing, trippy soundscapes, and gritty rap over some very heavy beats. Sometimes, as in "Trials and Tribulations," you have both at the same time, with bizarre electronic effects over a subdued rap. And it finally ends with two remixes of the title track: the rappier "Geoff Barrow Remix," and the trippier, more explosive "Dillinja Remix."
The Baby Namboos have been unjustly painted as a Tricky side project. And this Manchester band admittedly does have some intense musical similarities to Tricky's work. But, since Porter ejected his cousin from the studio after a couple of days, the Baby Namboos retain a flavour that is uniquely their own.
Their brand of trip-hop is completely unlike the icier sounds of Massive Attack and similar bands. The Baby Namboos are earthier and more soulful. Above the basic beats, clattersdrums and so on, there's a lot of strong electronica that keeps the album from descending into raw depths. It's tough stuff, and it takes a few listens to really absorb.
A bunch of male vocalists do the rapping exceptionally well, rough and a little playful, laughing in delight as they play their instruments. Aurora Borealis has a voice that recalls the cracked alto of Marianne Faithfull, but it sounds rather weak at times. Similarly, her songs tend to be weaker as well: endless repeats of "Your inner scream haunts me/Your tantalizing taunts me," makes up half of one song. The rap songs tend to be much better: "So if you're offered free new tricks/Accept it with open arms/'Cause there ain't no four leaf clovers/Or no gypsy lucky charms
It's a shame that "Ancoats 2 Zambia" (partly named after a phone book entry, partly after a part of Manchester) sank down with many of the less worthy trip bands of that era. Dark, brooding, and rough around the edges.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sadly Overlooked, July 17, 2003
By A Customer
By the time this was released in 1999, both the music press and audience had mostly given up on the trip-hop genre that had provided countless watered down imitations of the original greats. I am guessing that is why no one payed attention to the idea of Tricky's relatives / friends forming a band and releasing a trip-hop album.
What a mistake; This album is a classic. Alternately fun and spooky, this is musical voodoo at its best. The production is top notch, with deep bass lines, snapping beats, and creative keyboard work laying the foundation for the cast of vocalists. Parts of the album have a very loose, jam session feel, and this adds to the odd and enigmatic mood created. From the rolling go-go of "Get Your Head Down" to the haunting "Holy", there is plenty to enjoy here.
Do yourself a favor and check this one out.
Recommended listening - loud, and late at night.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent "trip-hop", August 29, 2002
I think this is on par with just about anything Ticky's done. It's also different enough to stand on it's own. Dark and trippy, it still has a lot of great straight-forward instrumentation, such as stand-up bass. Maybe it's just my imagination, but it sounds like there are these strange ghost voices that appear throughout the CD, and I imagine they come to the forefront on the last song "Play With Me" which is about using a ouija board. Another great song is "Holy" in which the singing character, a prostitute, stands up against the religious types who would judge her. The vocals are excellent, all the songs are good, and I will be listening to this one for a long time.
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