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Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Philadelphia-born Liquid is a hot producer who's worked with Petey Pablo, Out Of Eden and Grits. Now he delivers an album of his own and what a turbulently eclectic and hugely impressive set it is. Nimbly fusing Latino-tinged R&B with old school hip-hop beats, and '70s soul with pop rock and reggae 'Tales From The Badlands' is a restless journey through whole vistas of styles and colourings. Check out the dreamy Spanish "One Time" and the solid funk groove "Crazy" complete with sassy horns and a lead vocal that could almost pass for Curtis Mayfield interlocked with a rapped plea to give the relationship one more go. Then there's a delicate piece of sweet soul "Good To Be Back" with a heartfelt prayer of gratitude to God, or, my favourite, the lilting floater "Sunrise". Liquid has a winning way with melodies that stay in the mind and grooves that venture outside the box of stylistic rigidity. So whether it's Latin, R&B or hip-hop that floats your boat, you need to investigate this intriguing musical statement.

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