Morcheeba
BLAZE AWAY
FLY AGARIC RECORDS
Wyndham Wallace
“It’s Morcheeba!” a voice announces as the title track of the London duo’s ninth album begins, stating the obvious in a fashion that will no doubt provoke sniggers from cynics. That the voice belongs to Roots Manuva, though, should silence any doubters, especially when he adds: “We are together! In unity!” Despite Roots’ reintroduction of the hip-hop influences sidelined in Skye|Ross, Blaze Away remains largely true to Morcheeba’s laid-back roots: Never Undo’s slick, bass-heavy groove deliciously showcases Skye Edwards’ honeyed voice, as does Sweet L.A., where she’s accompanied only by Rhodes piano, while Love Dub confirms that they do indeed. Musical mastermind Paul Godfrey also verifies his chops with ingeniously understated slide guitar on Find Another Way, while French star Benjamin Biolay brings additional sophistication to Paris Sur Mer, and Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner provides lyrics for the nimble It’s Summertime. They’re hardly ‘blazing’ here, but Morcheeba still smoulder admirably.