The Streets -

The Streets - or Mike Skinner as he's known to his friends - playing an 'extraordinary mix of garage, rap and anything else he can get his hands on' (NME). Whether you love or hate the music, it's originality and impact on the scene is undeniable. His debut album 'Original Pirate Material' was a brilliant blend of urban poetry, cut-up beats and a wicked sense of humour. For many artists, this initial success would have been an unbearable burden, but Skinner returned in late 2003 with the outstanding 'A Grand Don't Come For Free'. An urban concept album, the street-slang lyricism of the original record was complemented with a new found level of emotional maturity. He has raised the bar again, but can he go higher?