A pivotal release for Ian Brown, after mountains of self-generated negative publicity culminating in a prison stint for abusing an air-hostess, 'Golden Greats' is the release on which the former Stone Roses frontman is pinning his musical future. Happily, we can report that it's looking bright for the man sometimes known as 'monkey', this being an intriguing and stubbornly compelling album.
'Golden Greats' is a strange mash-up of textures and styles given its uniquely schizophrenic character by the list of contributors, numbering Fundamental percussionist Inder Mathura, Aziz Ibrahim, former Fall drummer Simon Wollstencraft, engineer Tim Wills and programmer Dave McCracken. You get the impression that the last two were particularly crucial to the success of this impeccably produced album, managing to realise Brown's professed intention to conjure the "acid house days when any record could be dropped, you'd have the beats always running, maybe a bit of Hendrix, Beatles, Stone Roses in between electronic music." Wills and McCracken help Brown achieve this goal without sounding 'retro' or pointlessly 'baggy', perhaps with the exception of the ill-chosen single 'Love Like A Fountain'.
Despite Brown's unquestionably limited vocal range, the minute pitch shifts of his voice are well suited to the stoned-wonder of tracks like 'Set My Baby Free', 'Neptune' and 'Dolphins Were Monkeys'. It's on these blissed out, chilled moments that the album really shines. Nonetheless, the complete package adds up to a proud return to form from a true original.
