Hip hop is the base root of the equation, but is also used as a starting point to include jazz, dub and funk. From the first track it's immediately apparent a free approach is the order of the day, as Dwight Trible's instantly recognisable tones weave their way around a semi-mantra. The following One For Ayler goes the other way, a simple hip hop beat backing a basic chord structure of rare beauty, voices whispered this time.

Of the more aggressively hip hop tracks, With Voices is the only one that Ammoncontact use to give a shout out - that is, through the voice of Lil Sci in a tense, energetic number. Like This features the same vocalist and packs a heavy riff, rather like a Blade track might do. But the duo refuse to rely too heavily on these tricks, any idea of a commercial pitch quickly extinguished by a range, semi-electro episode, the effect one of having your head dipped beneath the water.

Meanwhile Zillion Tambourines has a thought provoking, protest style rumination over a lazy bass line. The influence of DJ Shadow unconsciously exerts itself for the spacious, cinematic textures of Elevation, while the duo's penchant for a good riff comes up once again in Drum Riders, a more basic 'rap 'n' drum' approach.

From all this it's clear Ammoncontact are a vibrant source of creativity, keen to expand their hip hop sensibilities in search of other forms of expression. They succeed in an engaging album that gets better and more interesting with every listen, communicating with an impressive directness. Their prolific writing looks set to lead them down many more garden paths in the near future - and it will be interesting to hear the results.

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