Soul & Science

Nickodemus is a New York DJ whose global success has come through mixing house, hip-hop and disco with different sounds from across the planet – and his latest album shows both the pros and cons of such a technique. As a DJ he knows how to throw a good party – every track here is based around a strong groove and a solid beat – and the range is certainly impressive. The opening ‘La Noche’ is enlivened by a solo from featured Spanish singer and saxophonist Antonio Lizana, while on ‘Mama Tchipp (Follow Me)’ the powerful bass line is matched against soulful vocals from singer Pat Kalla from Cameroon. ‘Plastic (A Bigger Name)’ is a cheerful dancefloor anthem featuring entertaining New York rappers The Illustrious Blacks, while the rousing ‘Rumba Tobacco Y Ron’ was recorded in Puerto Rico with Haydee Soul & The Candela Allstars. The solid beat of ‘Mamaciterranea’ is driven on by the frame drum of Mauro Durante (of Justin Adams and Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino fame) while Indian singer Falu adds cool, classy vocals to ‘Shakti’. So, what's the problem? There are some fine artists here, and many of them – like Falu – sound better without those insistent beats.