I’m ashamed to write that this is my first introduction to the music of Fantastic Negrito, I should have heard of his work before, because this album ‘Please Don’t Be Dead’ is a classic rock, blues, funk and soul ride.

USA based musician, real name Xavier Dphrepaulezz was previously signed to Interscope Records in the mid-1990’s, with his debut release ‘The X Factor’, but things didn’t work out, then it couldn’t get much worse for Xavier when he was in a serious car crash in 1999, hence this album title ‘Please Don’t Be Dead’.

This album was released in June 2018. It has an incredibly positive air of familiarity to it, with a consistent classic sound, it could fit into any era of music, any decade, and at the time it has a relevant modern day 21st century feel, with attitude ‘Plastic Hamburger’, depth ‘Dark Windows’, roots ‘A Cold November Street’, warmth ‘Never Give Up’, funk ‘Bullshit Anthem’ & social commentary ‘Transgender Biscuits’.

Well worth a listen, check it out.