(Mute Recordings/Virgin)

The cover art of the latest single to be lifted from Moby’s recent album ‘18’ shows the Little Idiot looking all ‘bling bling’ in some sequined pants, the latest in trendite eyewear and he’s holding a cane! Has Moby turned a new leaf? Is he now embracing popularity? Or is it some sort of subtle dig at the current bunch openly materialistic pop luminaries? Probably none of the above, so I will cease the uneducated guesses and let you know about the 7 tracks on this single.

Most people have probably heard the track ‘Jam for the ladies’ by now, it was on the album ‘18’ and has been played in some clubs. The track has the trademark super crisp Moby beats, impeccable production and an underlying groove that Moby does so well. Add the angry vocals of Princess Superstar, a touch of Angie Stone and raps by MC Lyte and you have one really cool song.

Moby does a remix as the Voodoo Child, one of his old incarnations, and pumps out a bouncy techno version. This mix goes down well, repeating the rap over and over and to and fro-ing with the different percussion.

The third mix, Nevin’s Club Blaster Mix, is an up-tempo house version that then almost turns hard-house. It doesn’t really do much for me with its big electric guitar sample, but it does have a nice acid line and accentuates the main vocal well (I am almost certain this mix samples the crazy noise from DJ Dan’s classic ‘The Zipper Track’). Jason Nevin’s also turns out a ‘Reggae Dub Banger’ mix which is also so-so, too bangin and predictable.

There are two new tracks on the album, the first being ‘Bed’, a spaced out tech house number that’s sounds like it uses one of those magnetic pole instruments (can think of the name of it?). This track is Moby going back to his rave days, although its definitely not trance or hard-house, a lot more subtle. ‘Ace Love’ is another up tempo, hypnotic track with an early techno style sound, big drum rolls, snare builds and a crazy sample that sounds like a baby crying.

The single again demonstrates Moby’s exceptional musical abilities and shows that he still has his finger on the pulse of popular culture. The remix package is a little disappointing though, I would recommend Moby utilises some of dance music’s cutting edge artists for the next single, he may just get a club anthem out of it.