Roots Manuva Alternatively Deep

• Words: Jesse Serwer
• Label: Big Dada
• XLR8R Rating: /10

As he did following his 2001 masterpiece Run Come Save Me, Roots Manuva returns with a full-length companion piece to his latest LP, Awfully Deep, one that rivals the "big release" in ambition and quality. Where 2002's Dub Come Save Me consisted primarily of remixes and versions of Run LP tracks, Alternatively Deep is comprised primarily of songs recorded during the Awfully Deep sessions; while they didn't make the original cut, they're just as high quality. Lyrically, Roots follows on the ruminative vibe of his last outing, sounding slightly more upbeat and optimistic on tracks like "No Love" and "Pep My Game." But, as has often been the case with Manuva, his vocals are frequently overshadowed by his excellent, diverse beats.