Funny how things change so fast in rap. Last time round in 2001, Spooks were headlining the Ambassador, taking a full band around the world with two massive singles and one hit album behind them. Now, however, Black Eyed Peas have taken their place as the pop-tinged rap favourites de jour and Spooks find themselves dropping down the bill, with only a DJ for company.
Not that their spirits have been dampened though, as they still provide a fun-filled, freewheeling exercise in old school hip-hop. Sometimes a little too old school, mind, with the incessantly booming beats and audience participation masking a dearth of memorable tunes. But those tunes do arrive, in the form of ‘Karma Hotel’ and ‘Things I See’, it all falls nicely into place and Spooks once again present themselves as a potentially genuine force. All they need is a few more in a similar vein and a little more of a human touch.
The human touch is something that Arrested Development have in bucket loads. Things have changed round their way too, with their famously expansive line-up having missed the trip in favour of a DJ, guitarist and bassist. Speech seems keen to make up for this depleted showing all on his own.
An engaging frontman, fluid rapper and – as proved on a potentially tiresome cover of ‘Redemption Song’ – a fine singer, he is almost capable of carrying the show on his own. The problem is, he very nearly has to. In fact it’s a whole four numbers before the DJ makes an appearance to supply any sort of beat, the void filled with incessant jazz meanderings from the musicians, a problem that doesn’t go away for the rest of the set.
The highlights remain lodged in the memory however. ‘Mr Wendal’ and ‘People Everyday’ predictably raise the roof, yet it’s the taut ‘Tennessee’ that proves what an exciting vision they once had. And, encouragingly, the new material shows that that hasn’t deserted them.
As an exercise in getting back in touch with their audience, this is a sold out success. It’s the next move that could be really interesting but let’s just hope that Speech brings the rest of his friends with him.