Power In The Blood

Sometimes the most restricting thing in the world is to be completely individual. Alabama 3 are nothing if not unique, a Brixton based gospel blues techno outfit featuring the likes of Larry Love, The Very Rev D.Wayne Love and Frank Zappatista among their members.

When they first emerged from South London in the late ’90s they were truly from another planet, the best band you never heard in your life. Three albums down the line, however, and they’ve painted themselves into a bit of a corner.They still sound totally unique, but somehow not as fresh as they once did.

There’s a slight whiff of novelty about it all, which is a pity because – at their best – Alabama 3 make a thunderous noise. ‘Woody Guthrie’ is one of their finest moments to date, a lyric burning with righteous anger mixing with soaring gospel vocals. Aiming their ire at everything from the NRA and the war in Afghanistan to the BNP in Oldham, it’s proof that when Alabama 3 are on form they are nigh on untouchable. Uniquely for a band working at least partly in the dance field, the words are often brilliant – mirroring their mix of British and US inspirations perfectly, conveying the culture of the streets without descending into crass clichés and underpinned by a political fervour.

Too often, however, Alabama 3 find themselves treading water and, while thrilling in small doses, the album palls as a whole piece of work, a good idea that is starting to sound a bit tired. Time for a rethink maybe.