The first release on the reorganized label, is once again coaxing lovely magic from his chosen instruments -- no change there, then. With the ever-present assisting him on drums and another variety of assisting players -- old bandmate back again with some viola, album co-producer helping with a bit of bass (as does 's ), three guest singers, and more -- again serves up a smart set of songs. His generally up-to-the-minute approach to recording and performing still in place, embraces breakbeat culture via loops at points while otherwise following his particular muse as he chooses. could and should have been a hit single, a sharp, funky rhythm the bed for a great, slightly twangy series of guitar lines and a softly sung female vocal, intertwining just so. Meanwhile, is a touch straightforward even for , with 's passionate lead vocal soaring over the delicate soloing and big, at-times -level drums from , which then matches with a duly bolstered but still clean rip. Interests from here and there suggest themselves throughout -- for instance, refers to the traditional song style of Portugal, and has an air about it from that background. Other songs recall the murkier beginnings of 's work, like 's plucked strings echoing off into the distance over a fragile, barely there lead melody accompanied by a simple three-note loop on synth, all of which develops into another quietly triumphant anthem. He saves a sly joke for the end -- not so much referring to an artistic period by anyone or another as it does the fact the song itself is a classic lick revamped in 's own preferred playing style. ~ Ned Raggett