(album/ CONCEPT MUSIC)
These guys and gals are thankfully finally making hell of a name for themselves, with the quality of their hip �Hard Time Stylee� single and �Skank� album release having bagged them the tour support slot on the Fun Lovin� Criminal�s Spring run-around of UK venues.
There�s little wonder why they have been asked to �open� for the FLC, for the 9-strong Stateside Hombres are one of very few bands who are thoroughly cross-generic in their musical ways, opening this debut album with the upbeat reggae-flavoured �Ding Dong.� Meanwhile, elsewhere in the midsts of this 11-track album, �Look Good Crew� is propelled by Chalk�s prowess on his bass guitar, �Come Outa Here� knocks back all the coolest snatches of Ska-rap and �Bam Boom� faithfully impresses from its lofty and funky drum �n� bass vantage point.
Most of the vocals are wickedly rapped by Babbat and Nugsta, though the album highlight and potential chart-topping anthem �Make It Reggae� is seductively brought to life by the sassy Little Miss, who obviously shares the same zest-for-soul as pop-sensation Jamelia. �Make It Reggae� is also remixed on �Skank,� to further heighten its chances and win over anyone and everyone who hears this genuinely brilliant tune.
Interestingly, ex-EMF musician Milf is the superstar DJ of this crew, who also plays the keyboards. While his heady EMF days seem such a long way back in the past, it�s nice to hear that Milf is now involved with such a fresh-sounding outfit of musicians.
So what if their �Chereo Stereo� tune sounds like mid-90�s rapper CJ Lewis is back on the scene, there is nothing on this album that can be faulted. And while some people might compare these Hombres to collectives such as the So Solid Crew, the variety of mixed and mashed musical genres within this album will ultimately stand-out from the crowd.
Reel 2 Reel were right. �The jungle is massive.� But the Stateside Hombres are here to show us the way.
(Steve Rudd)
www.statesidehombres.com
www.conceptmusic.com
www.northernlightsmusic.co.uk
Release Date: February 9th 2004.