Slyde
Everyone's Entitled To Our Opinion
Finger Lickin/ Inertia


Slyde, the duo of Jason Laidback and Robin 12tree, is a relative newcomer in the breaks scene in the UK, but made an immediate impact by signing to the ultimate breaks fraternity, Finger Lickin Records. After two years in the recording studio, they have produced this, their debut album, and it should attract quite polar reactions.

From the outset, it is clear that this is not quite the typical breakbeat album that we have come to expect from Finger Lickin. Additionally, it is a different sound for those that are familiar with Laidback and 12tree's previous recordings. The tracks in this album seem to have a harder, more electro edge and in some cases, on tracks like Hold It Down and Noodle Express, it comes across as quite disjointed and nonsensical.

They also broaden their production repertoire with the downtempo electro of You're My Fix and Strange, the electro-punk of Looks Better, oriental hip-hop beat mash of Blow That Stack and electro-pop Frequency, but none of them causes much of a stir.

It is only when you hear the breakbeat tracks like the opener Vibrate To This, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Get This Good (a real highlight) and the remake of Ian Dury's Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll that you get a true indication why Finger Lickin coveted their signatures.

I have always been an advocate of the adage: "when it ain't broke, don't fix it," and I would have loved to see Slyde apply that to their debut album. Whilst I am also appreciative of pushing the musical boundaries and extending yourself creatively, it takes quite a special skill and innovation to pull it off, and there are pockets in this album that are worth getting excited about, but sadly there are some pockets with holes in them.

Leo Varona