3. Wookie - What's Going On
More a garridge remix of "Back To Life" than a new tune really. So what makes this great? Firstly, it makes the unacknowledged debt UK garage owes to Soul II Soul quite explicit (though you'd expect that from someone on Jazzie B's label), and so catches that same relaxed, positivity vibe as the original track - albeit underpinned by more frenetic breakbeats and a thick bassline. Secondly, the production is sumptuous, simultaneously tight and very full-sounding, giving this tune the same extra oomph that Artful Dodger tracks have. Of course now that the UK charts are overrun by novelty garage tunes, something this good might get lost in the excitement - apparently this is the biggest chart assault by a new musical style since punk! Oh, and thirdly, the excellent video filmed in a nursing home. See grandparents sing and dance to da sound of da underground! Climaxes with this old guy hollering "Rewind, DJ! DJ, Rewind!" Your nightmares start now.
