Bugz in the Attic Back In The Dog House Review

For their long-awaited debut album, London collective Bugz In The Attic have replaced the wildly syncopated excesses of yesteryear with a collection of cuts that compound their many influences into a tight, bright signature sound.

Recent single "Move Aside" and "Knocks Me Off My Feet" highlight a compliance with the sassier side of US r & b, featuring vocal hooks that wouldn't be out of place on a Missy LP, though the wide variety of (live and programmed) rhythms, buzzing synths and punchy bass sounds stem directly from the deeper side of the UK underground.

Those who heard Bugz recent Life:Styles compilation wont be surprised to hear elements of 80s soul here, notably on their floor-stomping revamp of Yarbrough & Peoples' "Dont Stop the Music" and "Consequences", which features long-standing collaborator Bembe Segue.

Phusionistic tracks such as "Once Twice" and "Redhanded" (also featuring Segue) hark back to the posse's more classic broken beat sound, though for the most part the team have successfully crystallised their love of funk, dub, hip hop, Afro-sounds, soul, house and jazz into an immaculate - and highly accessible - tapestry of catchy grooves without losing any artistic integrity.