Lack Of Afro (Adam Gibbons) has achieved a startling amount in the few years since his first Freestyle releases. Playing live and DJ-ing across the world, producing and remixing everyone from Tom Jones, The Pharcyde, The New Mastersounds through to Kraak & Smaak. In 2011, as well as collaborating on an album project with Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds, having also produced and played on the album, “Colours” by Freestyle label mate Frootful, Adam somehow found time to create what is, without doubt his strongest album yet: “This Time”.
A wide ranging and eclectic, progressive musical outlook has always been the Lack Of Afro approach, and on this collection the music pulls together several strands into a fantastic, homogenous journey with almost too many highlights to mention. Several top notch vocalists feature, Jake Morleys “Holding My Breath” with its moody minor key feel riding over an aggressive rhythm track is one tune that is bound to find favour on dance floors worldwide.
“A Time For” with Wayne Giddens’ smoky, falsetto voice is already gaining a reputation as Lack Of Afro’s most genuinely soulful composition ever, evoking as it does a mid 70′s sound that Al Green, Curtis Mayfield or Marvin Gaye would have been rightly proud of. Already available as a 7 inch single/download (FSR7069) the amazing feedback to this beautiful song ensures it will certainly become renowned as timeless classic.
“Fool” is a track that echoes 1960s pop-soul of artists like Dusty Springfield, as Angeline Morrisons sweet voice rides over orchestral strings, whilst on “The Importance Of Elsewhere” Angeline displays fully deserved soul credentials and her contributions mark her out as a rising star in 2011.
With flavours of afrobeat on “Contusions”, the laid back far eastern tonality of “Little Fugue”, Def Jam Records star Wax rocking all over “P.A.R.T.Y.” alongside Herbal T, and a smattering of well rounded and grooving instrumentals like “Lazy Lazurus”, “This Time” (release date: 07.10.2011) is the Lack Of Afro album we have all been waiting for. Considered, soulful, contemporary yet retro, accomplished certainly and setting standards in modern music others will struggle to follow.
“Potential album of the year as far as I am concerned. The ideal mix of fresh ideas, new songs, and reverential production values that draw from the great eras of soul music. Classic sixties and seventies vibes rub up against each other to devastating effect.” – Lofty, Amber Sound FM
