Track Listing

1. Again And Again
2. CRUFF
3. Do Nah Bodda Mi
4. Let The Spirit
5. Kick Up Ya Foot
6. Man's Talk
7. Buff Nuff
8. It's Me Oh Lord
9. 2 Much 2 Soon
10. Do 4 Self
11. Show Must Go On
12. I'm A New Man
13. Well Alright
14. Struggle

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3063 in Music
• Released on: 2008-09-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Slime and Reason presents an altogether more cheery Rodney Smith to the troubled soul we met on 2005's Awfully Deep, a record that found its creator battling depression and fighting demons from the psychiatrist's chair. Indeed, lead-off single "Buff Nuff" is possibly Roots Manuva's plain silliest track to date, a wobbly dancehall number produced by Sheffield newcomer Toddla T. Elsewhere on Slime and Reason, though, we find Roots Manuva seeking a happy mid-point between gloom and frivolity, musing on life and love with his unique philosophy of world-wearied wisdom, fire-and-brimstone religion, and sly British humour. "Again and Again" is one of Roots' finest tracks to date, a bumping British digi-reggae cut featuring a cameo from Ricky Ranking. "Let the Spirit Move You", produced by Metronomy's Joseph Mount, is balmy electro-pop in a minor key. And "It's Me Oh Lord" finds Smith revisting his past as the child of a Pentecostal preacher, a chilly gospel number swathed in thick, gloopy synthesiser, heavy with spiritual musings. Slime and Reason might be diverse in tone, but it's the sort of record that allows a talent like Smith to show off his range, and on this evidence, there's few who can touch him. ––Louis Pattison

Observer Music Monthly
"A work of genius."

Big Issue
"It's three years since Roots Manuva's last record, Instantly relevant again."

Customer Reviews

Roots Manuva- Slime & Reason LP Review (8.5/10)
South London's finest Rooty-Toot Maunva (aka Rodney Smith) is back with his fourth and most varied album yet. 3 years since his last release proper, Roots Manuva has shown he is an artist who hasn't been afraid to experiment with his sound, implementing a host of influences from the classic roots-reggae to electro; analogue dub to rocksteady funk. His ability to fuse these base elements into a product that is undeniably his own has led to his music being instantly recognisable, what with the warping dub-plates and skanking electroid melodics. Add to this his sharp, patois-tinged, tongue-in-cheek lyrics that address issues from the music industry to urban society, gal-dem to relationships, and you have the proof behind why Roots is deservedly one of the UK's biggest hip-hop stars.

With `Slime & Reason', Roots ability to craft catchy skeletal melodies out of fractured beats and warped sonic's has reached a new level. From the entrancing Dr Dre meets Burial tuneage of `The Show Must Go On' to the analog synth-attack of `It's Me Oh Lord' he injects a danceable aesthetic into already animated soundscapes. The superhero leftfield jazz-hop of `Well Alright' is like The Herbaliser meets a stripped down Cinematic Orchestra at a New Flesh concert, whilst the sidewinding 8-bit melody and out-of-sync bass burble of `Do 4 Self' proves to be an entrancing backing to Roots energetic and on-point flowage. Not content to rest on his laurels, Roots injects a wider range of Caribbean-influences into his sound, influences which are distorted and molded into the playful yet focused Manuva aesthetic. `Again + Again' is playfully ruptured calypso complete with rastafied Elephant Man-esque flows whilst `Buff Nuff' is a dirty piece of pounding bashment designed for mega-bumper shakage with its repetitively engaging choral section and fluttering tribal percussion. On `Let The Spirit', he carves out a wonderfully tranced-out 90's arcade-game synth and burbling bass oozes to create a dark and progressive instrumental for his powerful vocals.

Roots Manuva's previous albums have been (ever-so-slightly) blighted by some lazy word-play as in some tracks his flows have been less than rhythmic and are reduced down to talking pace, thus not triggering off any energy. With `Slime & Reason', his verbage is perfectly aligned to the beatscapes, accelerating and decelerating with the beats to create smooth-flowing energy as well as consistency. This alongside the matured arrangements and (trademark) warm analog production techniques have led to a lavish and challenging album which is sure to delight fans of old and invite newcomers. Although there is no epic stand-out track like `Motion 5000', the release ultimately proves to be an extremely consistent long-player which continually impresses with its exciting variety, meticulously crafted and interesting beatscapes and focused, tongue-in cheek rhyming. (AM)



For fans of: The Herbaliser, New Flesh for Old, Skinnyman

best british hip-hop album by a mile
I've been a fan of Roots Manuva for a while but it only took me one listen to be sure this is the best thing he's ever done. It hasn't been off my stereo since. If you like hip-hop you need this record.

'Yo buff nuff?'
Manuva's bizarrely titled fourth album is more accessible than some of his previous work. More overtly laid-back and with a dancehall-oriented flavour it is a quirky and ruminative effort that is chock-full of cheerily danceable tracks. Outstanding opener 'Again and Again' will have you swaying along and the album continues in this vein throughout. First single 'Buff Nuff' is a faintly daft but eminently catchy dancehall flavoured song, and 'Well Alright' showcases Manuva's range and new-found optimism in style. A great album with only one or two mediocre tracks.