Boom Bip / Zig Zaj

Boom Bip
Zig Zag
(Lex Records)
* * *

Many will know Boom Bip for his role in Neon Neon, the Gruff Rhys-starring collective that was deservingly nominated for a Mercury. The LA-based producer isn't going for a low profile with his new solo album either: it features guests from Franz Ferdinand, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Warpaint to name a few.

The Alex Kapranos sung 'Goodbye Lovers and Friends' is the most upfront of these glitzy appearances: a pulpish, paranoid and cinematic tune that rides on thick breakbeats, it finds the Franz singer pulling his usual excellent stunt of being dramatic with one suave eyebrow raised.

The fantastic Cate Le Bon features on 'Do As I Do', which finds the folk-inclined singer return to the sci fi futurism of her Neon Neon anthem 'I Lust U'. Despite being effectively hookless, the tune emerges as a hypnotic Inca chant - which is a phrase I don't get to type every day.

Elsewhere things are never less than interesting: unofficial Beastie Boy Money Mark guests on an ambient glam-stomp from the year two-zillion called 'Manabozh', while the Chilli Peppers and Empire of the Son guest on 'New Order', which recalls Bowie's 'One Outside' era.