A preposterously sunny pop vibe defines the latest offering from sadly neglected hip-hop outfit, Arrested Development, the guitar strumming, booty shaking candyfloss of the sharp and friendly chart seeking missile, ‘Down and Dirty’ (Clap Your Hands) filling in all the gaps between 2004’s ‘Hey Ya’ and last year’s Lily Allen. And whilst Since The Last Time is unlikely to reclaim former glories, or recover a market long since lost to Gangsta Rap and the Republic of Diss, it does build on a prevalent and healthy regard for the rebirth of soul and funk, not least, the fluid, rolling gospel rhythms of the album’s title track, ‘Since The Last Time’, the crazy itch radio of the bass tossing, ‘Miracles’ and the sparkling Philadelphia-isms of ‘Heaven’. Granted this is more your Black Eyed Peas on a Basement Jaxx tip than your 50 Cent or your T.I King but it’s no less attractive for it. It’s not the bubble-gum rapping of Will Smith and his mate Jazzy Jeff exactly, but tunes like ‘Stand’ are not a thousand miles away from it.
Seems a strange planet for a progressive hip hop band to find themselves upon post the Grammy Award-Winning debut, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of… and that Malcolm X biopic? Well given that in the time between that album and this album the band has disbanded and regrouped and underlined their commitment to bringing to you only the most positive vibes of the hip-hop community, that what follows seems entirely natural; much like the day as it follows the night.
Remember when hip-hop was as fun and fruity as De La Soul and the Digable Planets? No. Well this should suffice as a timely reminder.