Hot on the heels of their debut single, 'Thing', (see below for more info) Seeed serve up their latest album, 'Next'out in May on Four Music. Renowned for their numerous collaborations, Seeed continue the tradition on this new release. Teaming up with French hip hop collective, Saian Supa Crew and the UK's very own Kano, this album looks set to sizzle. In addition, Gnarls Barkley's Cee-lo Green and Tanya Stephens lend vocal support, with General Degree at the production helm.

Founded in 1998, Seeed might be aptly described as a product of multi-ethnic, multi-lingual Berlin and the city's burgeoning, club-based dancehall scene that came of age at around the same time. This 11 piece ensemble cast of creative misfits are lead by the explosive, hi octane delivery of their 3 MCs - Pierre Baigorry (a.k.a. Enuff), Frank Delle (a.k.a. Eased) and Demba Nabe (a.k.a. Ear).

Establishing themselves first as a live act with supporting slots for visiting Jamaican superstars fike Buju Banton and working with the likes of Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Antony B and Denyo. Seeed have gone on to sell out stadiums in their home country of Germany, performing in front of crowds of 14,000, headlining European festivals and performing at Glastonbury. There is no letting up for Germany's finest exports, live shows are in their blood.

Dabbling with a varied mix of musical from hip hop to rock and roll, Seeed liven it up with an assortment of drums, bass, guitars and horns, all done the good old fashion live way.

Propelled by the runaway success of their turbo-charged turf-anthem Vickes B, Seeed's 2001 debut album 'New Dubby Conquefefs'notched up sales in excess of 150,000 units. Translating the kinetic exuberance of their live-act on record, the band managed to blend their unashamedly rootsrock retro-integrationist flavour with a hi-tech dancehall bottom end.

Today, with three certified gold-albums under their belt, the scale of Seeed's success is truly mindboggling.

'Next', has been specially re-mastered for the UK, featuring special unreleased material and live performances. This album is a fantastic introduction to one of Germany's best live acts, which demonstrates the versatility of this 11 piece group. In the words of Pierre aXa Enuff, he states, "We can bring the ruckus and rock off almost any other act, reggae or non-reggae."

 

We were well pleased when we stuck the CD on in the office. It's a great LP mashing up hip hop, dub, reggae and dancehall, all mixed up in a pot of funk and soul. 'Good to know' will whip any decent dancefloor into a storm as it sets the speakers on fire with its ruff bassline and crunchy drums. 'Next' drops a rude boy rhythm on our ass, a boy do we wanna strut to this. This will rock the spot with ease.

 

'Rise and Shine' has regge soul bomb written all over it, this will have your head in a bob movement in seconds - love it! 'Stand up' is a jump up part stater for any club that feels the beat. 'Waterpumpee' is a killer reggae vibed gem, horns and all - an essential track for anyone feeling the likes of Fat Freddy's Drop and Damien Marley.

 

'Music Monks' goes all bashment on us and will have you grinding straight away. 'She got me twisted' samples Ken Boothe's Is it cos I am black to cook up a full flavoured reggae gem that sounds great when you are feeling lazy on hot sunny days.  'Goosebumps' is a little bit odd ball but we can see those that love to lark about on the floor loving this. 'Pressure' fuses sitars and sludgy basslines to make a track that snakes through the speakers and bites you when you least expect it.

 

'Please, Please' features Lady saw and we can see this appealing to those feeling Lady Sovereign - the good news is, this track is far better! 'Respectness' is another of the stand out reggae vibed cuts and we reckon this is one you will be going back to for time.

 

'Double Soul' is a good title for this late night hip swayer. Can see people having their hands in the air to this one. 'End of the day' rounds us off with more rudeness.

 

Bonus tracks include 'Bye bye', 'Slowlife' featuring Kano, 'King Rodriguez' (a massive latin influenced live track that really kicks ass), 'Dickes B' and 'Papa Noah', which are both to be classed as stand out, get up and grrove numbers.

 

All in all this is a great LP that is ridiculously fresh and as such will be on rotation for a long time to come. A shiny disc that you will love forever...

 

four music

 

Whilst you wait with baited breath for the Next LP, why not check their latest single which is out now!

 

'Thing' is one of the ruffer cuts off the LP. Rude boy bassline and an almost Eastern influence on the track. France's finest MC's spit rhymes at light speed that sound cool - even though we have no idea what they are on about!

 

'Slowlife' stands out as being quite different next to the other tracks on the LP. Really lo-fi backing track with a soulful vocal poured over the top.