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| Bridging The Gap |
As the Black Eyed Peas would like to remind us at every opportunity, this is a rap outfit that's about far more than just plain ol' hip hop. The LA trio pride themselves on refusing to preach about politics, guns and bitches. And hey, they're right to brag - there's not a sniff of any of these on 'Bridging The Gap'.
This second album from rappers Will.I.Am, Apl.D.Ap and Taboo is served with a hefty helping of soul sensibility and there are pinches of jazz and calypso thrown in for good measure.
As seems to be the fashion in hip hop circles right now, this long-player features a multitude of special guests. De La Soul, Macy Gray (again) and Wyclef are the most impressive names but the likes of Les Nubian, Mos Def and Kim Hill shouldn't be overlooked.
'Hot', which features the latter, is a pure R&B; groove that sizzles and spits an ultra-infectious chorus that's so sexy - 'you're so amazing, you're so hot and so blazing, you're hot, hot, hot'- that a bucket of cold water could be called for.
The gentle soulful influences of Les Nubian and Mos Def make the beautiful 'On My Own' one of album's stand-out tracks. Irresistible lush piano breaks and heavenly vocal harmonies will keep you humming and swaying those hips for bloody days.
While 'Weekends' pours a smooth yet sassy melody, featuring the voice of Esthero, into the beat-laden mix and, like so many of the others, what a tasty dish it is.
This is a softer collection of songs than Black Eyed Peas' debut 'Behind The Front' and it's hard to believe that they share a label with a compulsively rude rapper like Eminem.
Thankfully there is no inkling of misogyny or homophobia - how refreshing!
