Wibidi / Tigerbaby

Wibidi
Tiger Baby
(Strangetown Records)
* * * *

Here’s the pitch: Daf and Cian of Super Furry Animals have joined up with the Rasta-tinged vocalist Wibidi for an album of Orbital-meets-hip hop style crunchy dance goodness. Got that? Then let’s investigate, Scooby.

Sounding akin to a more futuristic and simultaneously urbanised Black Grape, Cian's way with a liquid dance squeegee is instantly recognizable both from SFA’s live techno meltdowns and his work with Acid Casuals (who really should record another album). These come to the fore frequently, but sound especially delicious on opener 'What gets You Home At Night'. Meanwhile, fellow Furry Daf whips up some excitable beats on the Hip Hop leaning 'Gogroach', providing the kryptonite energy source at the heart of the record.

Are we missing someone? Ah yes, Mr Wibidi himself. Our frontman is a quasi-mystic presence throughout, who could almost pass for a street fightin' relative of Lee Scratch Perry. Though he makes a fair old show of playing the politicized preacher, Wibidi really excels as a ranting, smoke-fuelled party host, shadow boxing over Daf and Cian’s glow-in-the-dark energy.