Although Living Colour have technically never split up, they have taken huge gaps in between releases and we had to wait eight years before album number six surfaced after The Chair In The Doorway came out.
There is a big heavy blues vibe right from the get go with Freedom Of Expression’s groovy and heavy 70’s riff. Preaching Blues is an old Robert Johnson tune given the Living Colour treatment. Come On mixes traditional sounds with some hip hop elements, and a hint of gospel in the vocal. Program feels like an older LC tune with a great funky groove and riff from Vernon, and a very poignant rap in the middle. The Hip Hop vibe is strong in Who Shot Ya, which contains some very startling facts indeed. Always Wrong is a more laid back groove showcasing the amazing voice of Corey Glover. Black Out closes out Side 1 with a stripped down, slow, funky groove with the power turned on in the pre chorus.
Pattern In Time opens up Side 2 and I would say it’s the heaviest tune on the album. A groove that is almost punk rock with a wild and wonderful riff. Glass Teeth follows and the riff is quite simple. The song would be forgettable if it wasn’t for the harmony and backing vocals on the main melody. Who’s That is next, but not if you read the track listing. A dirty old school R’n’B riff and groove with added horns. Invisible is up next and we are again knocking on the door marked blues with just a hint of funk. A cover of Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues is up next and this is my favourite track. I mean, the original is stellar so you have to make it your own by doing it different and I think they pull it off, especially with the Hip Hop segments. We close out the record with Two Sides and another powerful vocal performance.
So, is it as good as the first two records? I would have to say no, as those two records are superb and classics, but it’s a very hard hitting album and one to listen very closely.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
