You know the score. Discussions about British hip-hop almost invariably follow a predictable path: there's sadness, bewilderment, ridicule and, finally, a grudging admission that Roots Manuva isn't bad. It seems we can incorporate rap styles into our own music - trip-hop and garage, say - but as for taking on the Americans at their game? Forget it.
One man, currently, defies the logic. Adam F is an unlikely British hero to be embraced by the US hip-hop elite. A producer who doesn't rap, his past is filled with mediocre jungle records rather than hardcore dues-paying. Oh, and his dad's Alvin Stardust. Not one to make Dre and P.Diddy quake in their boots, you'd think.
Hang on, though. 'Kaos' is apocalyptically silly, grandiose and the most enjoyable mainstream hip-hop album in a while. Adam F's special trick is to make bangers - big party records - swelled by outlandish orchestrations and choirs. And on the Redman-fronted 'Smash Sumthin'' and 'Stand Clear', featuring MOP, the effect is especially dazzling, as if Adam is producing street-smart national anthems for small but fashion-conscious new states in Eastern Europe.
It's bombastic stuff, for sure, but 'Kaos' is far too much fun to be pretentious. At times, it feels a bit like a demonstration tape, with Adam proving how many genres he's mastered: post-Timbaland electro R&B on 'Where's My. . .' (featuring Lil Mo); conscientious soul-rap on 'Karma (Comes Back Around)' (featuring Guru and Carl Thomas); skilful relaunching of an old star's career on the pumping LL Cool J vehicle, 'Greatest Of All Time'.
But Adam F breezes through it all with such exceptional style and confidence, it seems he's branding each genre with his own trademark sound. And that boils down to a simple but effective formula: MORE. OF. EVERYTHING. After 'Kaos', no excess will seem enough - turn it up!
