London based producer and artist, Gaudi, has been nominated for a BBC World Music Award for his last album Dub Qawwali, collaborated with French musical inventor Michel Moglia and his unique Fire Organ - performing to a crowd of 350,000 at The Coliseum, Rome - while still finding time for official collaborations with Horace Andy, Grandmaster Flash, Simple Minds and an official Bob Marley project. To say he has been busy is an understatement.

On top of all of that Guadi is here with his brand new album, No Prisoners and with its high profile line up of guests, such as, Michael Franti, Dr Israel, Elisa, Kenny Knots and Dub Gabriel, it has certainly added international appeal.

No Prisoners is an upbeat album compared to Guadi’s usual styling which has more of a down tempo beat but don’t worry there are still the signature vintage synthesizers, tape echoes and spring reverb going on. The opener, ‘Bad Boy Bass’, starts this album off with a head noddingly good beat with bass to move the hairs on the back of your neck. If this doesn’t wake you up, nothing will.

Slowing things down with a reggae beat is ‘Serious Ting’, this is a mellow tune with some great percussion to kickstart the reggeaton styling, while ‘Oud We Think We Are?’ is strong on the guitar, the intro has a feel of a metal band coming in to play.

I just love the bagpipe opening on ‘Hotel Caledonia’; it’s a really quirky touch and shows Gaudi is not afraid to use different sounds. I would love to see this played in the clubs alongside some Scottish dancing.

The female vocals of Elisa on ‘Brainwashed Again’ make a refreshing change to this album, the melody is catchy and mix to this the rapping vocals and this is a sure hit.

All in all this is a good album; I can see this being played at house parties or out in the clubs. Once again Gaudi has done his stuff and worked the music till we can’t dance anymore!

8

Helena Rea