The Artful Dodger

Does the Artful Dodger really deserve to recycle years-old tracks on their first "official" studio album? Mark Hill, along with a large cast of vocalists and co-producers, already released two own-productions-heavy mix albums (Rewind, Re-Rewind) when the 2-step/garage boom was trying to make a transatlantic move to American shores. This proper debut, finally appearing in 2000 (complete with ironic title), includes versions of every Artful Dodger hit to date, and those in versions usually inferior to the originals. The only difference in the new version of the originally excellent "Movin' Too Fast" is the removal of a precious few beats per minute, a tactic that doesn't work at all. Also appearing are no less than four radio edits ("Re-Rewind," "It Ain't Enough," "Please Don't Turn Me On," and "Twentyfourseven"), none of which improve on the originals. For those curious about the heavy-hitters of the British garage scene, a good alternative is the excellent label compilation The Best of Locked On. [The Australian release eliminates a few songs found on the standard edition -- "Outrageous," "Movin' Too Fast," "It Ain't Enough," and remixes of "Think About Me" and "Please Don't Turn Me On" -- and adds two bonus tracks: the "Original Version" of "Woman Trouble" and the "Artful Dodger House Remix" of "What You Gonna Do?."] ~ John Bush, All Music Guide