Lack of Afro - Square One (Bastion Music) 
Release Date: Out Now
The finest purveyor of fresh British funk is back with a whole new album, a whole host of guests and big ol' bag of beats. Ladies and gentlemen, Lack of Afro is back and it's time to get down. This new album, 'Square One', immediately strikes you as a clean, fresh and uncluttered collection which, when combined with the natural funk at its heart, makes for a powerful shot in the arm. The album opens up with 'Enter the Ring' which features the legendary DJ Yoda and gets the party started with the kind of tune that you want to get you hyped up for a big night full of horns, big beats and scratching par excellence. 'Let It All Out' is up next with long term collaborators Wax and Herbal T, with a rhythm that makes you feel like you're on the streets of NYC before an uplifting, Chic-esque party vibe kicks off as the rapid flow takes us through the night.
Jack Tyson-Charles steps up to the plate on 'All Night' for a slice of smooth R'n'B perfect for making your moves to and if your shoulders don't move along to this one then you need to have a word with yourself. 'Loving Arms' is a piano based beam of sunshine coming straight at you direct from California with Greg Blackman riding it like a unicorn backed by a brass section of angels before 'Your Least Favourite Wonder' brings a more Sunday morning vibe with Dare Club guesting. 'Wide Open' finds Lack of Afro riding in to battle alone with a bag of samples and a mission to funk out hard with a wailing guitar and drums that don't let up - it's a truly glorious sound.
The Mariachi horns of 'Amigsos' brings Too Many Tees along for the ride and if you like the Allergies, 'Apache' and the Cuban Brothers then this will be right up your street. Greg Blackman takes the mic again for 'Looking At The Love' with a Gregory Portman-esque performance full of soul and heart before HOLMES steps up for the first time on recent single 'Automatic Lovin'' which is baby making music, yessir. 'Not For You' features Tyson-Charles again but also Alyssa Marie and this creates a laid back flow tailor-made for cruising or strolling on a sunny afternoon when you're in no particular rush.
Penultimate track 'Browsing YouTube' finds Lack of Afro pulling on the sample thread again with a funky bass line to die for (I'm talking Bootsy level here) and it is that rare thing when pinnacle of the album comes near the end as the horns, organ and beats join in. The album/party comes to a close on 'Go Free' which has a slight Moby vibe on the vocal sample but the horns are all LOA and the vibe is triumphant so you can stumble out in to the night all sweaty and spent. It really is a crime that Lack of Afro isn't a more widely revered artist but, for now, we can enjoy him as out little secret, yeah? Our funky little secret.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/lackofafromusic