Big Chief - Platinum Jive (1994)

Halfway to cool alterno metal that sits in no man's land as a groove based, slightly psychedelic, funky hip-hop srut machine. It's not bad even if it lacks identity or atmosphere, kinda making me feel cold as it tries so hard to combine so many style without wanting to be metal - cos' I'm guessing that to be metal in the mid '90s was way uncool. Naturally it is grunge-tinged but it's pretty meaty too, boasting some serious fuzz and frenzy and fronted by tough vocals and songs that strive to be fun yet also furious. The video at the time was for 'Lion's Mouth', a funked up Detroit drive machine that features some masculine vocals from Barry Hennsler. 'All Downhill From Here' has a sleazier, bluesier groove about it, at times early Mudhoney springs to mind with the raw power although there's some cool, soulful backing vocals on this cut, making it all the more catty, 'Takeover Baby' is equally cool,a funky, jiving hip-shaker with a '70s flavour. This album is a real grower, just not sure where it sits, but the least you can do is give it a spin, because it does more for the soul than the Chilli Ploppers. 6.5/10