Big Brovaz: Nu-Flow

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald Rating * * * )

The British pop sextet have already scored a hit locally with the title track to this debut album. And while they look suspiciously like a record company's bright idea — "what we need Nigel is a cross between S Club 7 and So Solid Crew and Destiny's Child" — the resulting album holds up well with its Anglicised mix of hip-hop and R&B with occasional hints of reggae.

The three rap-chaps (J Rock, Flawless and Randy) do the gruff bad-attitude bits, playing microphone tag with the sweet-voiced gal singers (Nadia, Cherise and Dion). The arrangements can get a little crowded with all those voices and the lyrics too often resemble second-hand imports from the US.

But there's more than enough quirks, elegant harmonies and potential singles of infectiousness to the lead track — especially its ode to parental responsibility

Little Mama — to make Big Brovaz sound like the right pop band at the right pop time.

Label: Epic