Jean-Christophe Le Saoût - better known to music fans as Wax Tailor - taps into the spirit of the original "block parties" on his latest album, proving that rap haas a lot more to offer than endless regurgitations of Scarface. The French turntable maestro whips up a compelling mix of addictive groove, stirring soul and orchestral hip-hop, serving up a series of fabulous melodies in the process. And he turns the spotlight on female vocalists once again, working with Dionne Charles on the Motown-style Leave It and Sara Genn on the Portishead-inspired Dry Your Eyes. But the true girl power moment is This Train, a track which stages an improbable encounter between a Wurlitzer, the hypnotic flow of female rapper Voice and the vocals of Oklahoma's indie folk diva Ali Harter. 

Wax Tailor has proved himself to be a consummate master of trip-hop in the past and he continues to mine that sultry vein on album number 3. But he also takes a few risks this time round, recording a surprise track with his label mate, Charlie Winston (I Own You). In the Mood for Life also incorporates plenty of "old school" vibes with the group Speech Defect (B-boy on wax) and the A State of Mind collective (Say Yes) fuelling two high-energy tracks tailor-made for the dance floor.

However, the scratch-heavy No Pity and the beat extravaganza Sit & Listen are the tracks where the French whizzkid shows the full extent of his talent, armed with nothing but his trusty sampler. In short, Wax Tailor is feeling ultra-positive, on the beat and very much "in the mood for life"!