Though he’s been playing clubs since his precocious early teens, London-based electronic producer Toddla T (real name Tom Bell) has had a rapid ascent over the last few years, with his acclaimed 2008 debut album ‘Skanky Skanky’ being followed by production duty on Roots Manuva’s ‘Slime And Reason’ album and remix requests from everyone from Grandmaster Flash to Hot Chip. Three years on, this hotly anticipated second album ‘Watch Me Dance’ sees Bell offering up a collection that ‘s distinctly more oriented towards vocally-anchored dancehall-influenced pop than it is deep club tracks. Indeed, the opening title track immediately highlights Bell’s predilection towards actual ‘songs’ as Roots Manuva’s distinctive deep lyrical flow rides a clattering backdrop of electrofunk synths, jagged guitar chords and live drums that’s a close cousin to Prince’s ‘Housequake’, background vocal whoops and all.
If the aforementioned track sees Bell veritably blowing the doors open ‘Sign O’ The Times’ style, ‘Take It Back’ drops the pace down into clattering retro-rave breakbeats, jangling house piano fills and subtly auto-tuned female soul vocals, the resulting smooth fusion rolling with a sense of deep chill somewhere between Soul II Soul and PM Dawn, before ‘Badman Flu’ sends things rattling off into juddering dancehall / house rhythms, rapid fire ragga MC vocals and chaotic synth bleeps calling to mind one of Basement Jaxx’s more furious. dancehall-centred workouts. While there’s certainly plenty of rhythmic muscle on offer here however, it’s also balanced out by a keen eye towards smooth downbeat soul, with the lush lovers rock-oriented ‘Fly’ swinging things to a smooth close as skipping, off-beat drums and lurching bass runs provide a smooth undercarriage to layers of multi-tracked female rnb / soul harmonies and shimmering organ keys. While ‘Watch Me Dance’ is easily one of the most commercially accessible offerings to emerge from the Ninja Tune stable of late, this is an impressive and diverse second album that sees Bell succeeding in his goal of crafting a collection that’s just as enjoyable to listen to as it is to dance to.
Chris Downton
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