Music » Vinyl Record Dance & DJ Music

A1. Fenomenon Fredahk Ext. RemixA2. Original VersionB1. Andy Caldwell RetakeB2. Landshark RemixFormat: 12" VINYL

Release Date: 2005-01-25, LP Record, Bpitch Control

Array

Release Date: 2006-05-30, LP Record, Embedded Records

2002 reissue of 1991 album, packaged in a digipak. Sony.

Release Date: 2005-12-13, LP Record, Interscope Records

A1 Eric's 5RW RemixA2 Jay's Nude VocalB1 Miguel Migs' Salted Vocal RemixB2 Scott Hardkiss RemixFormat: 12" VINYL

Release Date: 2006-02-07, LP Record, Nonplace

1. Uppin' The Ante2. SandgrinderFormat: Vinyl

M.I.A.'s debut record is both intensely urban and aggressively modern. The group's sole member, Maya Arul, infuses her blend of hip-hop and chunky electro with raw, tribal overtones and a healthy dose of sex appeal. There are elements of world music here, in Arul's multilingual vocal as well as the tonal shifts and instrumentation (like the drone that opens up "Hombre"). Her delivery uses a variety of yelps and tics full of street-wise confidence and bratty energy. But there's also an appealing melodic sense, like early Neneh Cherry or Miss Kitten when she's not in diva mode. M.I.A. doesn't really sound like anybody; the music is just experimental enough to wiggle out of easy comparisons. The IDM-style bleeps and beeps of "Galang," for example, give an already catchy song extra punch. The only problem with the record, a common flaw for debuts, is a sameness from track to track which robs it of the ability to surprise. Still, Arul is hugely talented and her abundant originality packs a wallop. --Matthew Cooke