Summary is a Birmingham, UK based nine-piece jazz/hip hop band led by saxphonist Mary Wakelam, that includes horns (Joe Egan), MC vocalists (Naomi Blake, Taharka), and a DJ (Maxwell) on decks. The six minute long opener "Crack It Open" shows a deft combination of jazz and hip hop with rapping that drifts in and out, but most of the song is refined nu-jazz, or future jazz if you prefer, with all the elements combining smoothly.

1. Crack It Open
2. Nasty Depths (Bonus Track)
3. Nasty Depths
4. You Do This To Me

There are two versions of "Nasty Depths" and both feature combined male and female hip hop vocals with a melodic jazz/funk background. "You Do this This To Me" is a sweet ballad that explodes into some tasty, horn-driven funk. Out of the three songs presented, this is the one most likely to continue bouncing around in your head when it's all done.

The biggest drawback to Nasty Depths is the EP's short length. With only four songs, including two versions of the title track, it's about seventeen minutes long, and just a summary of what Summary can do. A whole CD will be welcome.

~ Dave Howell

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