Awfully Deep

Roots Manuva

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 19, 2005)
• Original Release Date: April 19, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Big Dada Records
• ASIN: B0007XB5TA
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,942 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
If you've read any of the speculation surrounding Awfully Deep, you'll be aware that this is the down album from beleaguered Brit-Jamaican rapper Roots Manuva, a troubled work where he battles with the twin demons of depression and mental illness. Luckily, hard times can't entirely keep a good man like Rodney Smith down: barely two minutes into the bashed-up dub-hop of "Mind 2 Motion," he's already exhorting his audience to "Swing your pants!/ Swing your skirt!/ Shake away the hurt!" in an effort to keep the black dog from his door.

And truly, this is a long dark night of the soul: on the excellent "Colossal Insight," Smith turns to God to save his sanity; on pitch-black soul number "The Falling," he's lost in an apocalyptic reverie, fantasizing about smuggling hand-grenades onto an airplane. But luckily, Smith is agreeably incapable of presenting his predicament without moments of dark levity: see the title track, which recalls a stint at a mental hospital populated by "crooked doctors and kinky nurses." A man who dispatches the Reaper with a nudge and a wink, Roots Manuva remains one of British hip-hop's most potent forces. --Louis Pattison

Product Description
The triumphant return of Roots Manuva, the trailblazer in what has become a steady flow of UK hip-hop to charm the world over. Delivering 51 minutes of self-produced, dub-wise ingenuity, Awfully Deep is his most realized lyrical record to date, with rousing rhythms, and a barrage of bass. On tour with M.I.A. of Arular fame.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Ital Hip-Hop, September 21, 2005

By	D. Leffler "lion of judah" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An English friend turned me on to Roots Manuva--how did I sleep on this sick MC? I'm from Washington DC so I was skeptical. English hip-hop?! This guy is the [...]. Since I'm the first reviewer I'll break it down for you:

1. Mind To Motion: 10/10 Use your mind to motion. Please lord forgive me for my sinny sin sins--dope track
2. Awfully Deep: 10/10 Title track. This CD is awfully deep
3. Cause 4 Pause: 10/10 1:11 of breathing room
4. Colossal Insight: 8/10 Self-conscious phat joint
5. Too Cold: 11/10 INSTANT classic--well worth the price of the album! Life is hard but it's just too bad man.
6. A Haunting: 8/10 This whole CD is haunted
7. Rebel Heart: 10/10 the real fast paced hip-hop
8. Chin High: 10/10 Keep your chin up
9. Babylon Medicine: 8/10 Long live the ugly
10. Pause for Cause: 8/10 Another break, no stupid skits here
11. Move Ya Loin: 9/10 It's grown on me
12. Thinking: 8/10 The hook is a little iffy
13. The Falling: 10/10 for the opening: 'guns, [...], hoes, crack, death and disease and a baseball bat...'
14. Toothbrush: 10/10 Cleanin' Up UK warrior survivalist


You can play this CD straight through and then play it again. Pick it up tomorrow and play it again. Buy this. Better yet, buy all three of Roots Manuva's albums and, um, your [...] welcome.

5.0 out of 5 stars Shockingly Brilliant, March 4, 2006

By	Mudrubble (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

Just flat out an amazing lyrical and sonic offering. The beats are the most varied and ingenious beats you can imagine, that don't compromise on quality or catchiness. In fact, it has the most consistency in beats out of all his albums. The lyrics are one (very) slight step up from what we're used to. He seems to be "evening out", less standout moments, more solid, standup material. His lyrics mystify again and again, the fluency of sound and meaning is a true gift. Easily well worth the money for anyone who cares for lyrical or sonic art. Period.

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, October 10, 2005

By	Paul Gallagher "Gags" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a welcome break from the usual Fiddy-cloned output that makes up the current US HipHop-scene. You've got it all here - thought-provoking lyrics, dubby beats and all round goodness. Manuva mixes up various styles - from dancehall and dub to 2-step and grime. Whilst lacking the instant monster such as 'Witness', this album is much more consistant than his previous work.... this is all killer, no filler! The choice is: there ain't no choice but to pursue it!!!