Office Listening: Roots Manuva's Brand New Second Hand

Words: Mike Warburton

There's no denying that UK hip hop has always existed under the gargantuan shadow of its big American brother. Whilst struggling to maintain the same credibility in many fans and critics' opinions, few of its main protagonists evoke the same response or cultural significance of its stateside fraternity.

However, albums like Dizzee Rascal's Boy In Da Corner (admittedly more rooted in grime), Jehst's Falling Down and Roots Manuva's Brand New Second Hand are just three longplayers that have hit it just right, remaining seminal pieces of work that are as fresh now as they were when they first landed, displaying a powerful retort to US dominance. 

The latter is the focus for our office stereo (stream above on Spotify), and kicks off with the glacial ambiance of 'Movements' giving way to Rodney's unmistakably real and quietly addictive Brixton patois.

This opener lays out the template for the rest of the album - beats boiled down to a minimum, swollen low end bass notes and sparse melodies, and yet full of intelligently composed hooks that deceive their lean structural consistency.

Unlike much American rap, Roots Manuva's lyrical palate isn't steeped in misogyny, violence, or self glorification, but rather takes cues from Rastafarian and roots cultural themes, namely injustice, daily struggles, pride, strength of character, injustice and religion.

Tracks like 'Juggle Tings Proper' talk about remaining steadfast despite what life throws at you, showing off a positive take on the every day grind. With few exceptions, the hip hop of say Long Island veterans De La Soul being a classic example, Brand New Second Hand is just about as far removed as you can get from the bulk of the issues thrown up on the other side of the pond.

It's also the music behind the lyrics really helps push the 17 track album into timeless territory. Apart from the breakneck, skewed, rhythmic nightmare that is 'Dem Phonies', a jarring second track that will only embed itself in your affections after many attempts (although it is well worth the effort), the rest of the long player relies on a much more hypnotic canvas.

Brittle guitar refrains ('Soul Decay' and 'Strange Behaviour' are two brilliant examples), carefully placed kicks and snares, deep pervasive bass lines and indefinable found sounds litter Brand New Second Hand in remarkable fashion, in turn creating an album that contains its own smokey microcosm that is impossible not be seduced by.

Even the roaring guitar distortion of 'Clockwork' fit perfectly in Rodney's sonic universe, as does the funk and soul backdrop of 'Fever'.

And then there's the overt string section of 'Motion 5000', a melancholic and yet rousing end to one of hip hop's (UK and America included) most original contributions. It hasn't dated a day since its 1999 release, making one assume that perhaps it never will. 

Roots Manuva will be appearing at Nozstock: The Hidden Valley Festival at the beginning of August. Catch one of the UK's most talented wordsmith's by grabbing your tickets here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event