Stereo MCs - “Paradise”

Having announced their return to the musical frontline in May with the killer double a side single 'Warhead' & 'First Love' ("The Brixton band turn out their best work in years… like a boxer's intro tape spliced with an E" - NME), Stereo MCs release the first single proper - 'Paradise' - from the forthcoming LP of the same name.

Anyone with so much as a passing admiration for the laconic, loose-limbed funk that Stereo MCs have made their trademark will find much to feast on in the original version's immediate chorus and shimmering brass stabs. Each individual element is rinsed to the nth degree, but coupled together with the requisite subtlety to make a truly outstanding first full release on the band's new Graffiti Records imprint.

:: VIDEO STREAMS ::

Stereo MC's - Paradise - Windows Media Hi | Lo
Stereo MC's - Paradise - Real Player Hi | Lo

Rob B's vocals return to the optimistic and upbeat call-and-response style that helped mark the band out as one of the most exhilarating live acts of the last 15 years, and with Paul Daley turning out two fine remixes, the appeal of the track is widened further still. The man who helped reinvigorate dance music as one half of Leftfield lets Rob's vocals float over a driving acid bassline and throws in some huge drops to give his entirely new take on hip house. The dubby 'Escape From Paradise Mix', meanwhile, takes a deeper and more minimal route to the dancefloor with equal effect.

The band's own remix ups the live feel still further and throws some unashamedly heavy instrumentation into the pot with the crisp beats firmly to the fore. Finally on the mixes, Dr Rubberfunk of GPS Recordings fame steps up with some spacey effects and deep live bass to give an ethereal flavour to proceedings.

The band have returned sensationally to the live circuit and have already produced mind blowing performances in Glastonbury's Dance Village (where 'Paradise' was one of the highlights), the main stage at the Wireless Festival, and a spectacular performance at Clapham's Get Loaded Festival to name but a few. The band will now hit the continent before a series of UK shows in the Autumn including several with the Happy Mondays and their own show at London's Koko on November 2nd.