Fans of acid and Latin-jazz artists such as Incognito, Beady Belle, Basia and Tania Maria will find plenty of appeal in MG4's combination of cutting-edge house and Latin beats, all produced with pleasing definition and clarity. There's something here for everyone who wonders where 1980s jazz-funk went. One place it went and is still revered without embarrassment is Japan, whence Mondo Grosso originates. "MG2SS" gives us a display of virtuoso string writing and playing reminiscent of that on Jaco Pastorius's 1976 "Kuru/Speak Like a Child" but updated with low synth bass and apoplectic hip-hop beats; Monday Michiru and N'dea Davenport soar like all the best soul singers on "Butterfly" and "Show Me Your Love" respectively; and on "Life" and "MG4BB" Paula Lima and Tania Maria float above the sort of modernised samba syncopations beloved by Matt Bianco in their day. "Star Suite II" has hot-horn sections and burning solo breaks from hard-bop virtuosi Brian Lynch and Tim Ries, which remind us that Mondo Grosso have their hearts in jazz. They just like to have it freshened up a little. --Mark Gilbert
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