Live at the Roundhouse, London

Kiwi nu-dub/soul outfit Fat Freddy’s Drop meticulously craft their studio albums, but nothing really compares to their live act. On-stage, Maori singer Dallas Tamaira (aka Joe Dukie) immerses himself in his phrasing and graceful movements, while the three-piece horn section plays a central role in punctuating the group’s loping reggae stylings. Up the back, unassuming bandleader Chris ‘‘Mu” Faiumu (aka DJ Fitchie) maintains the creative groove, firing off electronic basslines, digital beats and dub effects through his MPC sampler.

On this live December 2008 date at London’s Roundhouse, the usually drummer-less septet is augmented by percussionist Rikki Gooch, and in full flight they perfect the tunes that would form the core of their 2009 album Dr Boondigga &The Big BW. With only six tracks in total, most are lengthy, chilled-out jams. Opening with a snaky version of ‘ The Camel’ (which in its studio incarnation featured Alice Russell), the laidback mood is then expanded by the even deeper skank of ‘The Raft’, which also references their classic track ‘Willow Tree. The horn section goes into momentary atonal overdrive on ‘Flashback’, before having fun on the unifying ‘Pull The Catch’ and ‘The Nod, which features a hard-edged rap from MC Slave and an unexpected musical diversion into Dixieland jazz.

But it’s the closing, 16-minute ‘Shiverman’ that sends proceedings into the stratosphere. Pumped up by a trippy, house/ ska pulse, it just builds and builds, providing this release with that ultimate live recording achievement – making you feel like you’re really there. Fat perfection indeed.