The Review - MUSIC - grooves with CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS Published: 1 May 2008
Roni Size (centre) and his band Reprazent
Size still matters
PREVIEW RONI SIZE
Jazz Cafe
ELEVEN years ago, in 1997, Roni Size – a drum’n’bass god – smashed on to the UK music scene with his hit album New Forms.
It set a precedent as a new kind of drum’n’bass with funk and hip-hop sounds overlaid by a static vocal, as well as bringing the style to a whole new set of people.
The Bristol-born artist and his band Reprazent were so big they won the Mercury Music Prize that year, beating rivals Radiohead, Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy.
Now Roni’s returned to re-release the album that made him famous. Re-edited, it’s set to be even better. “I think fans of the original album always appreciated what we did with the technology of the day,” says Size. “This latest version shows what’s possible now.”
Expect to hear bigger and better versions of hit singles Brown Paper Bag, Heroes and Share the Fall at his one-off anniversary gig to kick off a UK tour next Thursday at Camden Town’s Jazz Café.
Three new tracks are included on the album, which was released a few months ago, along with new single Don’t Hold Back. But where has he been for the past 11 years? Resting on his laurels?
Not likely. Size has been busy, making six albums as well producing music for various acts on his label Full Cycle Records, which he runs with collaborator DJ Krust.
The groundbreaking, award-winning musician and his band are set to make waves on the music scene once again. RACHEL BROWN
• Roni Size plays the Jazz Cafe on May 8
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