Going Up

Happy-go-lucky; feelgood; summery: these are just a few of the words that spring to mind when pressing play on Kidda's debut album. Caught somewhere between funk, pop, hip-hop and old skool rave, Going Up is the perfect soundtrack to this summer's festivals. Pop it in your car stereo for the journey down or load it onto your iPod for a private tent shindig.

Kidda has managed to coordinate the unthinkable as umpteen uplifting genres join force for a massive party, all under one roof. The featuring artists alone (Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody, The Beat Nut's Psycho Les and the almighty Blak Twang) are proof of this diversity.

If you're a dance floor bunny, then Under The Sun will undoubtedly be your highlight. An uplifting floor-filler, but with added bleeps and freaky reverb, this acid house throwback is sure to be a firm winner with club DJs. Meanwhile Doo Whot will tickle avant-garde hip-hop heads' fancies, with slick rhymes (courtesy of Blak Twang and Lomax) and a beat The Teletubbies could breakdance to. On opening number, Strong Together, Kidda, AKA Brighton boy Ste McGregor, has created the ultimate credible, radio-friendly gem; an upbeat, sing-a-along anthem.

Just a smidgen of lowlights arise: the overuse of effects being the most notable. And while Going Up's blatant and intended cheesiness appeals to this particular scribe, more straight-laced musos may find it all a bit too camp and annoying. Basically Kidda's a bit like Marmite; you'll either love him or hate him.