March 15–22, 2001

critic pick| electronica

Roni Size Reprazent

In the world of drum ’n’ bass (or jungle, or whatever the IDM list is calling it these days) things move pretty fast — and not just in terms of BPM. Take Roni Size who, with his Reprazent crew, gave the genre (whatever you want to call it) a face with 1997’s dual-disc New Forms . Blending hyper-drive hip-hop rhythms with toasted lyricism, chill vocals and inventive sampling, it was a revelation. With the 2000 follow-up, In The Møde., Roni and co. begin with a reprise of New Forms ’ opener, "Railing"; it’s not exactly the best way to establish your claim as a genre’s bellwether. The album is loaded with the kind of neck-snapping rhythms you’ve come to expect from the group, and where Bahamadia guested on the first album you’ll find spoils of success like Method Man, Rahzel and Zack De La Rocha. Which isn’t to say that In The Møde. is merely more of the same — because more New Forms is just fine — but new forms ain’t what you get here. Not that you’ll mind while you’re sweating your ass off to their live set.

—Brian Howard

Fri., March 16, 9 p.m., $20, with DJ SUV at The Trocadero, 10th and Arch Sts., 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com .