Groove Armada 'The Best Of…' (BMG) Released 27/09/04

Groove Armada have proved to be one of the most successful British exports in recent years. With the majority of tracks on the greatest hits collection lifted from ‘Vertigo’ (1999), ‘Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) (2001) and ‘Lovebox’ (2002) there is a balanced mix of the old and the new the famous and the even more famous.

And if you believe the subliminal advertising campaign that has accompanied the release of this album then ‘you know more Groove Armada tunes then you think you do’. We all know some of them, with at least five of the tracks on the ‘Best Of…’ album being featured on car adverts and the like, Groove Armada have almost surpassed the ability of Moby for selling their asses to advertising guru’s everywhere.

Tracks like ‘Everybody Looked The Same’ and ‘I See You Baby’ should even have your grandparents humming along in recognition because these tunes are everywhere. They are on the telly, played in supermarkets but probably very rarely at anywhere credible, so I ask you, what is the price of selling out on such a grand scale?

Nevertheless there are some tunes on this album worthy of your money and some should stand out for simply being music you do want to shake your ass to. Whether at a festival, at a gig or just bouncing around in you bedroom the beats of ‘Superstylin’ should have even the coldest heart melting with disbelief at the funkiness. Whereas the melodic ‘At The River’ is worthy of a few tears being shed if only for the beauty of the trombone solo from Andy Cato and lovely yet overplayed lyrics.

The classic Groove Armada is there and this is what will make people get out their wallets. Tracks like ‘But I Feel Good’, ‘Easy’, ‘Chicago’ and ‘Purple Haze’ are all made of the stuff that has made this partnership one of the most consistent in the contemporary music industry.

As well as an abundance of classic tunes also included is the limited edition, bonus DVD featuring five videos and an entire performance of Groove Armada playing live at the Brixton Academy. Having seen this act live numerous times I can hand on my heart say that this DVD does not do them justice at all. It is almost painful in its length and boringness, despite the appearance of some famous faces the mood does not shift and the whole gig is filmed in such a straitjacket way there is no room for any sort of excitement. The crowd are loving it, but us sat at home ain’t. Something a little more substantial next time please.

Despite this the entire package is definitely worth the tenner or so you will be asked to part with to acquire this practical library of danceable anthems.