23 Skidoo

They may not have released an album in over fifteen years, but seminal electronic funkers 23 Skidoo were never too far removed from developments in contemporary electronic music. After all, it was Skidoo who set up the influential Ronin Records operation, home to the cream of nu-skool UK hip-hop talent, and, though much of their comeback album is rooted in the beat structures their protégés favour, the band have looked to a myriad of sources to fuel their re-introduction. Happily, 23 Skidoo proves that the band can still cut it with the young eclectic Turks – there’s fresh ragga toasting in the form of ‘Dirty Lo’, sweeping, cinematic numbers underpinned by mournful jazz riffing – check recent single ‘Dawning’, ‘Kendang’ and ‘Catch 23’– and deep guitar fuelled hip-hop on ‘Freeze Frame’. Skidoo even manage to make those long term foes of quality dance music – flutes and world music – sound fresh with the inspired playing on ‘Crossfire’ and the percussive nature of ‘Meltdown’ proving that you’re never too old to learn new tricks. A triumphant return and then some.