One SelfChildren of PossibilityReview

This is high grade stuff, hip hop with an experimental, world music edge. But don't let that put you off; it's an entertaining and varied treat, leftfield music of the most listenable variety.

There are no tales of urban alienation and inner-city hardship here, only musicianship pushing things forward and a Lady MC to die for. Think cultured bohemian takes a year out to travel the globe.

One Self's driving force is Russian born DJ Vadim.The MCs featuredincludeAmerican Blu Rum 13 and Yarah Bravo, a Swede of Chilean and Brazilian parentage. The band's lack of regard for geographical restrictions is echoed in the music. Vadim helps himself to Shakuhachi flute from Japan and flamenco guitar from Spain. The overriding influence, however, is Indian.

Album opener "Fear the Labour" balances a lyrical message of hard work and discipline with a suggestion of eastern mysticism courtesy of haunting chants and sitars. On instrumental track "SD2" tablas flicker like candlelight.

DJ Vadim's production is as polished as his sources are broad, and Blu Rum 13's gravel-voiced flow and intelligent lyrics ooze confidence.

But the real attraction of One Self is Yarah Bravo. Her voice is rich and deep, tangy and sweet. By turns she is fearless femme cee, jazz poet and sultry seductress. Like all great vocalists, notes not words are her primary tools for communication. On her lips a shopping list would sound profound and moving. Her sense of rhythm is impressive over the hypnotic stop/start of "Be Your Own".

On "Over Expose" she despairs at the flippertigibbits of commercial hip hop who degrade themselves (and by extension the genre) by stripping off on MTV. She advises that, 'the power of the mind/is far greater than a cute behind.'

Children of Possibility is wilfully high brow. Vadim's production is ambitious, and Yarah and Blu Rum 13 rarely use a short word where a long one will do. Pretentious, in a good way!