Elvis Costello has described this album as simply what happened when his sound was married to that of respected Philly hip-hop crew the Roots. There’s no arguing with that. The melodies are clearly Costello’s – simultaneously unexpected and familiar – and the Roots’ brooding yet funky backing makes exquisite use of their enviable brass section and some luscious string arrangements. Cinco Minutos Con Vos, a sultry duet with La Marisoul of LA band La Santa Cecilia, has the integrity of Ry Cooder’s best collaborative work, while the title track is the kind of brewing storm that Curtis Mayfield or Gil Scott Heron, had they still been with us, would have been proud to put their names to.