Those of you who heard the wickedly infectious skank of Backyard Dog's current hit single 'Baddest Ruffest' and immediately hoped for that long-awaited ska revival, are a) getting on in years and b) gonna be very disappointed with the debut album from this Manchester duo.
For, rather like 'Same Old Show' from Basement Jaxx's debut album 'Remedy' - which nicks from The Selecter's Two Tone hit 'On My Radio'- 'Baddest Ruffest' and its 'Gangsters' style bassline is just one small element of Backyard Dog's eclectic sound.
In fact the duo of musician Anif (one-time member of Eighties hip hoppers Chapter And The Verse) and vocalist Lloydi - produced by Sheffield's Parrot (DJ and All Seeing I member) and Robin Taylor-Firth (Nightmares On Wax) - make a darker, more serious sound than their upbeat poppy single would suggest.
Openers 'Ghettoswing' and 'Simmy Ya' are chilled, harmony-laden, synth-washed, funk-tinged grooves, Lloydi's reggae style vocals sounding like Shaggy fronting PM Dawn. 'On My Vibe' is a soulful Latin lilt, while 'Def-Xperience' is a long-winded attempt at eerie, reflective atmospherics which just doesn't work.
In another era, the slinky, slow, 'Dangerous' with its opening whispered French female vocals, cod-strings and Lloyd's soulful crooning would be perfect Andy Williams material, while 'Rocky Road' and 'One Shot At The Title' are passable enough attempts at reggae-flavoured UK garage.
In fact, the only other highlight to 'All In A Day' is the closing 'No Matter How Hard', a thoughtful gentle synthy swing of a song, Lloydi doing a fine Horace Andy impression.
Definitely a case of the single being the best thing on the album.
