ROOTS MANUVA – Badmeaningood (album) Posted by Russell on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 Ultimate Dilemma - Out Now After a hard day’s hip-hopping, Roots Manuva no doubt slides on his novelty Mickey Mouse slippers, snuggles up on his sofa with a steaming mug of Bovril and hums along with every last “Motherfucker” on NWA’s awesome ‘Straight Outta Compton’’. At least that’s the impression we’re given. Guiding us through his personal collection of tunes, Roots Manuva brings us snippets of every corner of his mind, ranging from new Brit-rap heroes Fallacy and Fusion to the electro-disco, almost New Order-esque, ‘I.O.U.’ by Freeez. At times, in displaying his whole range of influence, things get a little mushy, none more than with the appearance of the sickly R&B sheen of Juicy’s ‘Sugar Free’. A stroke of genius then his Roots Manauva’s highly unique, superb transformation of The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’, from child-like nursery rhyme to a sinister dub reading that oozes late night skunk sessions. The seamless mix into a closing instrumental version of ‘Stimulation Of Kaos’ by Reachout is as sublime as it is perfect. If Roots Manuva ever offers you a drink and, who knows, maybe one day he will, be sure to join him with a stiff Bovril and sit back for a good night in. Andy Robbins