The fourth major release from the enthusiastic and energetic Barry Ashworth and Jason O’Bryan, better known as Dub Pistols, ‘Rum & Coke’ is a brilliantly executed and exceptionally worthy and feel-good album that is definitely the best since their 1996 debut. Launched on Rob Da Bank’s Sunday Best label, there is an all-pervading party atmosphere running through its ten, all-too-short tracks.

Ashley Slater, Lindy Layton, Gregory Isaacs and superstar DJ, Justin Robertson (a great name, if ever there was one!), are all collaborators on various of the tracks, while Rodney P and TK Lawrence provide their customary support to another fine DP’s outing. I shall defy anyone listening to this for the first time not to tap their feet and smile during each and every track. The clever use of strings-biased synthesiser and subtle drum and bass are perfect complements to this extraordinarily good album. You can tell that DP is determined to forge its own authentic sound but that it wants to be regarded as a proper band and not just an electronica collective, so much more progressive are the overall production values.

Of course, their collaborations reach deeply into the veins of popular and rock music and there is a growing number of A-listers that want to borrow their talents to create dance mixes. Even the slightly darker, ‘gangsta’-style tracks are no less than edgily brilliant in their execution. It is as if these guys have come to terms with their existences, a little bit of Ska, a touch of Latin, there is also some definite west coast influence in the overall mix and it all threads together so well, to create an homogenous whole that stands it apart from the band’s former efforts… not that there was anything wrong with them. Listen to ‘Ganja’, the fifth track, and you can hear an intrinsically good sense of humour at play, it is little wonder that Barry and Jason are in such great demand.

The London duo have already cracked Europe and The States, you have to wonder where next. Good listening.