Hailed at the time of its original release in 1995 as a ground-breaking British urban album, Echoes magazine editor Chris Wells calls it 'one of the best UK soul albums ever.' Including Beverley's first two hit singles, 'Flavour of the Old School' and 'Moving On Up', this repackage - issued for the first time at mid-price - includes additional club mixes of both those cuts. Probably the most urban of Beverley's albums, it stands the test of time as a classic of the genre. Dome Records. 2006.

This last volume in the excellent Swamp Music series proves to be its most disappointing. As a way of showcasing the evolution of Cajun and zydeco, they've illustrated the "normalization" of music that is by its very nature weird, strange, and beautiful. As for zydeco music, given what is in evidence here, it no longer exists as zydeco but a mutated form of Cajun folk that uses one rhythm and emphasizes musical prowess rather than communicating the idea of song or dance to an audience. Sure, all of these cats can play -- probably a lot better than their forbears -- but it doesn't mean they have the same soul in their roll. The music here by acts such as Steve Riley, La Rue, Tasso, File, Jimmy Thibodeaux & the Gumbo Band, Balfa Toujours -- descendents of Dewey and his brothers Al Berard and others is fine for what it is, but it feels sterile as if the teeth were removed from it when they tried to kick the tempo up another notch or two and slicken up the instrumental aspects of the music. This disc is for Yankees only, or for those who don't really like Cajun and zydeco, just the idea of it. If this is the new trail, take me back by the dirt road. ~ Thom Jurek

Track Listings
Side: 1
1 : Break of the Night - V V Brown
2 : Marginalised - V V Brown
3 : I Will Always Be Black - V V Brown, Derome
4 : Black British - V V Brown
Side: 2
1 : Twisted - V V Brown, Veronica E Banks
2 : Go Back - V V Brown
3 : Feel So Alive - V V Brown, Liam Bailey
4 : Jamaica - V V Brown, Liam Bailey
5 : History - V V Brown, Amaroun

Multi-platinum musician, Grammy nominated songwriter, and multi-faceted artist V V Brown is back with her fourth studio album 'Am I Black British yet?'. This is a groundbreaking exploration of black identity. This cutting edge project features influences from James Baldwin, Erykah Badu, Soul to Soul, Roots Manoeuvre, and Windrush generation poets. Showcasing her Jamaican and Black British heritage through genre blurring soundscapes, V V Brown has crafted an innovative musical experience that refuses the status quo. This collaborative masterpiece was meticulously crafted between two musical powerhouses from opposite sides of the globe - J Sensible, hailing from the land down under, and Milton Keynes representing the UK. Despite being miles apart, they've managed to create a breathtaking album that sounds as if they were in the same room. The music is more than just sound: it's a cultural and sociological exploration into Black Britishness that transcends time and generations.