T-Power is one of the nu skool breaks scene's leading lights. This album his first for a few years is highly anticipated and largely regarded as being his 'definitive' take on the breaks sound.
The album begins with 'So Long and Thanks For All The Fish', a track that takes it's title from a book by humorous sci-fi writer Douglas Adams. Sure enough the track is fairly futuristic, but the humour that graces Adams' book is replaced by T-Power's somewhat sombre atmospherics.
Next up, Mr Power changes direction slightly for 'Dangerous', building a powerful set for UK MC Blade to rhyme on. The faster tempo is a perfect set for Blade to let loose over and he comes with a head on rhyme that adds venom to an already threatening cut.
On 'Running', Blade is exchanged for singer Amaziree as T-Power's vocalist of choice, and rightly so; her steely, shimmering vocals soar over the potent breaks and bass combo perfectly. 'Kool and Deadly' eschews any vocal input for a nicely tech edged steppin' feel, complete with busted up hip hop
samples.
There's downtempo material too. 'Wanted' sees violinist and vocalist Mee travel with him into a slower paced workout, and 'Cycles' is a hip hop paced ditty that rides a super-squelchy riddim to full b-boy effect with some dislocated political mutterings laid on top.
However, none of this matches the power of full on breaks tracks like 'I Like That', a hyperactive showdown with old friend Si Begg whose stuttering bass line action is aimed directly at the dancefloor.
Not only is 'Long Time Dead' T-Power's finest work to date, it also shows the versatility of his own production work and the ease with which breaks styles absorb different genres.
