http://www.dotmusic.co.uk/dance/reviews/Albums/November2000/reviews16603.asp
WOOKIE - 'WOOKIE' (SOUL 2 SOUL)
Released on: Fri 24 Nov 2000
It was like lighting a slow burning fuse.
Early in '99 there was the X-Men bootleg of Whitney's "It's not right...".
Then came an awsome Gabrielle remix, fusing deep house and 2step. Then he
single handedly invented breakbeat garage with the "Scrappy/Down On Me" 12".
Not bored of landmark releases, he topped them all: "Battle" is a single of
the year for anyone who's ever struggled. No question.
Some precedent to follow an album with, you might agree. So while muso's
aren't all frothing at the mouth about 'Wookie' the LP it's only because
the damage's been done. Wookie's made his mark: if this was 100% new
material, it would have made the Ten O'Clock news.
Regardless, it's a great LP. Given his soul-stylings, it could so easily
have been limp like R.Kelly or pop-pap like Artful Dodger's effort. Instead
it's a collection of known and new breakbeat cuts. And they rock.
And inspite of the latin jazz styling of "Back Up," or the deep soul of
"Joy My Pride" this lp is worth buying for those classic singles alone:
"Scrappy", "Down On Me" and of course, "Battle."
"Every day is like a battle/but we'll overcome...". If those words don't
move you, check your pulse.
Martin Clark
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