Sleepwalking [Audio CD] Rae & Christian

With their 1998 debut, Northern Sulphuric Soul, Mancunian mavericks Mark Rae and Steve Christian revitalised the British hip-hop scene. Mixing lush instrumentation with hip-hop beats, soulful vocals and a sophisticated pop sensibility, they virtually reinvented the Northern Soul sound. Some two years on, they're finally ready to unleash the follow-up. Featuring collaborations with the Pharcyde, The Congos' Cedric Myton and soul legend Bobby Womack, it takes the duo's subtle soul sound to the next dimension. Those accustomed to the pair's previous output will notice a clearer, sharper sound, with greater musicality and a strong reliance on "proper songs" over quirky instrumentals. It's a formula that provides a succession of classic tracks (Womack's chilling "Get A Life" and the soaring "Vai Vider a Vida" are superb), and the duo's strongest body of work to date. Put simply, Sleepwalking is a future classic. --Matt Anniss