Album Review

Roni Size – Don’t Hold Back

• 31st Mar 2008

Roni Size is another artist who has suffered the curse of winning the Mercury Music Prize. Back in 97 he fought off some fierce competition to secure the much cursed award. Although held in high esteem Size is in similar company to former winners Talvin Singh and Gomez. The mercury has hardly shoved the winner onto the golden brick road to fame and fortune.

So 11 years on ‘New Forms2’ is re-released and to accompany it we have single ‘Dont Hold Back’.

‘Dont Hold Back’ comes at you right from the offing. However the general drum and bass format, doesnt really hit you with this brand new song. Size uses intelligent vocalists rather than making the music a difficult learning experience, especially for any new recruits. The vocals are high in the mix and ensures a healthy voice-off with 3 different styles, it works well and at times is reminiscent of The Prodigy’s ‘minefields’

The rest of the cd is made up of a ‘joker remix’ and ‘TC & D*Minds mix of the same song along with a revamp of ‘Out of the Game’. The joker mix runs a parallel with Dr Dre’s ‘still Dre’ but with a bit of mind bending squelch and hypnotic synth thrown in for good measure.

It’s a difficult one to call as to whether the re-release will once again project Size into the big time, but he is not without credibility and respect from the drum and bass contingent. His genre has never really punched a hole into the major music scene and you cant deny him as king of British DnB. It’s just whether today’s kids can get beyond the dross of bad pop and cowell formatted dross and see the skill in his songs.

Bloody Mercury!!!