The acclaimed British-Asian musician returns with a powerful LP themed very much as titled, and spurred by burning issues over how immigrants are portrayed, presents 17 tracks on different sides of heritage, sense of self, belonging and multiculturalism, with an impressive set of guest singers and rappers. The surprise guest is Gary Lineker, former footballer, TV pundit and vocal critic of Britain’s Tory government immigration policy (whose tweet got got the BBC in a pickle), even appears with a spoken word element on the track Illegal, pronouncing that no one is indeed ‘illegal’, joined by Voices from Asha Projects. There are many powerful, profound performances, including by throaty, potent rap artist Jazzy Sirius, particularly on What’s It All About, as well as Mirror, a beautifully vocalised number with Elbow’s Guy Garvey (Darling Boy), a powerful gospel-soul performance by that once big name star Joss Stone on We’re Not Alone, and many others including a delicate piano and R&B Definition of Happy, with I Am Roze, plus Lady Blackbird, east London’s punkier Hak Baker, a mesmeric Asian number featuring Shapla Salique, as well as Ankita Joshi, slick rapping by Spek on Hoo I Am, and several more, ending with Natacha Atlas on Be Who You Are. Packed with great beats, a stylish, personal and political release filled with many voices and perspectives. Out on Warner.
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