Big World Small World [Audio CD] SMITH & MIGHTY

Big World, Small World is a striking long player from producers Rob Smith, Ray Mighty and junglist associate Peter D that aims for a heavy-hearted urban blues. Architects [and perhaps archetypes] of the "Bristol Sound", Smith & Mighty enjoy a formidable legacy--they produced Massive Attack's first single and recorded a "great lost" debut LP "Bass Is Maternal". Subsequently more street (or more accurately rave) than Massive they continue to thread junglist licks and a punky grit into their productions. Tracks are slow-hipped, downtempo and firmly rooted with references to Jamaica's Studio One, old school breakbeat and earthy basslines. Lyrics are strident and romantic--backstreet howls and soundsystem laments--meat for the soaring soul of guest vocalists LD, Tammy Payne, Kelx and Rudy. It is difficult to pick a standout as all are burnished alloys of keening voice, dope rhythm and Bristol's trademarked imperial "Sound".--Tony Marcus