Wookie

The crucial thing to notice here is that this was released on Soul II Soul‘s label - and just to underline it there’s a remake of their “Back to Life” with added Cuban pianos, maracas and jagged rhythms here, as “What’s Going On.” This whole album is a bold statement that the UK garage Jason Chue aka Wookie made is in a direct lineage of UK soundsystem soul from where Jazzie B and co took it in the 80s. Even more, perhaps, than fellow garage innovator MJ Cole, Chue blended the deep tradition of smooth soul, rare groove and lovers rock — with all the impeccable musicality that implies — with the raw impact of bass culture as it had filtered down via warehouse parties, jungle and all day Sunday garage raving. The way all the facets of city life — the darkness, the hope, the glamour, the everyday struggle — are constantly perfectly balanced, encapsulated in the gospel-infused smash “Battle,” makes this one of the great London albums of all time.