I know one thing; one listen to Nneka’s ‘Victim Of Truth’ and before long your fumbling for your soap-box, your packet of extra long Rizla and the AK-47 you imagine to be lurking somewhere beneath your Letta Mbulu and your Natty Rebel Army records, preparing yourself a speech that addresses everything from Apartheid, the struggle for independence on the Ivory Coast and the coming of the Rastafari messiah. It’s a record that makes you feel black, regardless of how shockingly white you really are. And because you’re feeling black, not only do you start thinking you can dance, all your thoughts start taking on a bizarre spiritual dimension and despite all your right-wing protestations about those ‘bastard terrorists that come from Bradford’ you’re off on one talking about suffering, persecution and your divine right to facilitate peacefulness with an ounce of Skunk. I’m not knocking it. It’s inevitable. Especially when the argument’s as persuasive and pretty as this.
Born in a small town called Warri in Nigeria, then relocating to Germany, Nneka scrambles her Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Bob Marley influences for an album that reworks the sweaty fabrics of Reggae, trip-hop and soul with deep and delightful consequences. Occasionally funky (‘Stand Strong’), occasionally soulful (‘Confession’) and occasionally urban (‘Changes’) the success of the album is down to the intuitive digressions and transgressions within it. Take ‘Intro’ – loopy sub-bass, some Tom Waits percussion, some nutty human-beat box shenanigans and one sweet, seductive vocal. It’s like Psapp, Bjork, De La Soul and Diana Ross rolled all into one. Whilst fans of trip-hop and Bristol acid are likely to be tickled pink by the filmic references, the noirish psychedelia and orchestral darkness of tracks like ’Stand Strong’, ‘God Of Mercy’ and ‘Changes’ fans of Kelis may enjoy the feisty morse beats of ‘Material Things’ and ‘Burning Bush’.
At 16 tracks, it feels a little long and though fewer would have made a formidable album, there’s no denying its strengths. A curious yet classy proposition worthy of investigation. Jah.