Published
Wed, May 18, 2005, 16:12
- Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva will be touring Australia and New Zealand in September and October 2005 to promote his latest CD release "Awfully Deep."
Roots Manuva, once you have heard his voice you never forget it. So smooth and soulful as he delivers his message through the medium of hip hop. Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva will be touring Australia and New Zealand in September and October 2005 to play live and promote his latest CD release "Awfully Deep" which is available in stores now.
Roots Manuva released his MOBO-winning debut album, “Brand New Second Hand,” in 1999 and his Mercury-nominated, gold-certified follow up, “Run Come Save Me,” in 2001. With those two records he developed a reputation as the possessor of a beautiful, inimicable voice, with a lyrical density which leaves most mainstream MCs sounding a little flat, and a production ear which constantly finds the unusual, and makes it sound as natural as walking.
While the name Roots Manuva is synonymous with UK hip hop and his newest and third album demonstrates much broader visions, influences and pure ingenuity. When Roots Manuva called his album “Awfully Deep” he wasn’t necessarily talking about how profound it was or how profound he was. He just happens to believe that life is deep, that music is deep.
Musically, Smith has developed a more layered sound for this record, experiments leading him to build some of the songs around chords instead of rhythms, melody rather than the beat. It’s also his most ‘dubwise’ record to date, the cavernous echoes adding further dimensions, the “barrage of bass,” as ever, as deep as it comes. It’s his most accomplished, crafted set of music, with a real signature sound that transcends superficial differences in tempo and style to create a consistent feeling. It's a challenging listen on first go for those hooked on his earlier stuff, but well worth a go.
Keep reading RA for further information on venues and tickets closer to the tour dates.
Roots Manuva New Zealand & Australian Tour
Wed 21 September - Auckland
Fri 23 September - Melbourne
Sat 24 September - Canberra
Sun 25 September - Perth
Fri 30 September - Sydney
Sat 1 October - Brisbane