If you, like many others, have pigeonholed Rudimental as 'just' a drum n' bass act then the first album from London-based collective will surprise you, writes John Balfe.

Anchored around the huge success that followed the release of 'Not Giving In' late last year, Home is a perfect example of an album which is able to achieve mainstream acclaim and chart success without feeling the need to pander to either. The production throughout the album adds a polished sheen to the sometimes grimy London drum n' bass scene, placing the album firmly within the sphere of musical tastes of as large a market as possible.

Home brings with it a veritable who's who of special guests, with last year's UK breakout star Emeli Sande appearing not once, but twice on 'More Than Anything' and 'Free' but it's the appearances of little known vocalist John Newman which really steal the show. The aforementioned 'Not Giving In' is the best track on the album but it's followed closely by Newman's other offering, the anthemic 'Feel The Love' which showcases the unconventional verve of Newman's voice excellently.

'Spoons', featuring contributions from MNKE and Syron, sounds almost like a slightly peppier The xx, just another example of the melting pot of different sounds contained within. While Emeli Sande's offerings ultimately flatter to deceive, especially compared to some of the better collaborations on Home, ultimately Home and Rudimental must be lauded for the curious patchwork of sounds they've collected on their debut album.


Review by
John Balfe