Bugz in the Attic aren’t your normal musical group. Consisting of eight members, they’re probably better described as a collective. There’s Orin ‘Afronaught’ Walters and Paul ‘Seiji’ Dolby, Kaidi Tatham and Daz-I-Kue, Alex Phountzi and Cliff Scott, Matt Lord and Mikey Stirton. Then there’re the guests…

Little wonder then that it’s taken the Bugz ten long years to release their first studio album. Not that every member is on every track; most are the product of two or three members. However, there was the not small issue of paring down over 90 demos to the final 16 tracks that made it on the album.

Being such a large group also means that the members have a diverse range of musical backgrounds and influences. While Orin Walters has a background in house music, Kaidi Tatham comes from a jazz, funk and soul background. Alex Phountzi professes a love of jungle, and states that Daz-I-Kue “comes from, well everything.”

This range of influences shines through on Back In The Dog House, with a diversity of styles found on the album. There’s the sassy, funky r & b style of Move Aside and I’m Gonna Letcha. Once Twice is a nujazz instrumental, which is followed up by the spicy African feel of Redhanded. Consequences sees the group detour for an 80s boogie, while Don’t Stop the Music (a cover of Yarbrough & Peoples’s 1981 track) is a simple track featuring hip-hop style vocals over a big bassline.

Highlights on the album include the already mentioned Move Aside and Consequences, both of which feature Bembe Seque on vocals and will be released as singles. No More sees a move away from a more straight-up r & b style, Michelle Escoffery adding his soulful voice to a quirky bass. And it would be hard to forget the finale that is Booty La La (an accidental hit when it was released back in 2004), with its funky, catchy party vibe.

Unique but accessible, fresh and infectious, I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying Back In The Dog House.