Pull the Rope

Ibibio Sound Machine started out ten years ago with a self-titled album that matched gospel, West African styles and electronic effects against songs from the British/Nigerian singer Eno Williams that were based on folk stories from South-East Nigeria. Since then the band have moved on to concentrate on contemporary electronica and dance styles, and for this set they have teamed up with producer Ross Orton, who has worked with the Arctic Monkeys. According to the band’s co-leader and co-songwriter Max Grunhard, Orton “is more grounded in rave and grungier sounds,” and the result is an album of stomping electronica and Afro-funk that is transformed by Williams’ highly personal, no-nonsense singing. She has an impressively versatile voice, at times matching rousing, chanting vocals against the slick, rhythmic bass work on the title-track or ‘Fire’, but then bringing a more intimate message to the dance floor. On ‘Got To Be Who U Are’ she gives advice to listeners in both London and Africa, while on the thoughtful dance song ‘Political Incorret’ (sic) she contemplates social media and laments ‘we don’t talk any more.’ There’s more danceable good advice on ‘Let My Yes Be Yes’, and she slows down for the lighter, soulful ‘Touch the Ceiling’. Another personal song, ‘Far Away’, features brass and slinky keyboard line that echoes Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’. Ibibio Sound Machine will be worth checking out at the summer festivals.