ROOTS MANUVA
Run Come Save Me (Ninja Tune/Big Dada)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

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When hip hop of the British extraction is mentioned nowadays, invariably Rodney Hylton’s name comes up. As Roots Manuva he has been Kicking The Cack for several years now, and is attempting to push over the foam wall marked Acceptance Here. He’s doing it all on his own terms, mind you. It isn’t as though he hired 45 dancers to flank him on a studio lot as he pretends he’s a gangstuh, or flashes plastic pistols in videos with big bootie bitches, etc.

Beanie Sigel complains of paper cuts "counting money," but my guess is that Hylton’s only recent ones are from actually reading books, and it’s rather evident in songs like "Witness" or "Swords In The Dirt" (with assistance on the track by Niara, Danny Vicious, Rodney P, Blackitude, Big P and Skeme).

It’s not going to ever be easy topping 1999’s Brand New Second Hand, but this comes absurdly close. You make the call. I’m too busy listening to both.

© 2001 - Jason Thornberry