Roni Size and Reprazent

When the Mercury Prize-winning New Forms emerged in 1997, no one had heard anything quite like it. Size infused drum 'n' bass with strong jazz overtones, hitting on a unique sound and becoming a pioneer in his genre. The epic "Brown Paper Bag" is the most classic example of his genius, but don't stop there: two whole discs await discovery.

The hype of the year in U.K. electronica ("It is to the '90s what "Sgt. Pepper" was to the '60s"
- "Melody Maker") -- and worth almost every overheated word. "New Forms" is actually a
misleading title. The 23 tracks on this double CD by drum-and-bass ace Roni Size and
Reprazent, his Bristol, England-based co-op of DJs, rappers, singers and live musicians,
draw from much that is familiar in dance music: jungle's high-speed rattle; the pn... More >

In the mildly overrated tradition of Massive Attack and Soul II Soul ("Digital," "Electricks") (Grade - **)