Not since David Bowie have I loved a theme album so much. “On Patrol” cruises down the sleazy streets at sunset, still steaming after the sun’s midday broiling. Looking for trouble, but even more, looking for action. Probing for danger, but watching for tail, Miami Vice style. With track titles like, “The Stakeout,” Deep Cover,” and “Dimension Alley,” you’re in for a cruise down the mean streets of would-be paradise. So, coolly slide your aviators down the bridge of your nose, roll up the sleeves of your suit coat, give yourself one last look in the rearview mirror, and approach this one with all the suave and finesse you can muster. The artwork just ties everything up very nicely, with great design, as NNF usually pleases. Cool 80’s patrol car visuals and psychedelic hand/triangle motif, reminding you to “Watch Yourself.”

This is probably the most chill I’ve ever heard Mr. Araw. Cameron Stallones approaches this one with a simpler formula, which seems more vibe driven than his Rasta psych mix of past releases, like “Heavy Deeds.” It’s still the same tropical flavor though. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the instrumentation seems more lucid and each part is more decipherable than the blurry wash that I remember from before. Plenty of island beats, wah-wah pedals, and tropical latitude attitude. The second track, “Beat Cop ("On Foot/Makin' the Block..."), almost makes you dodge a lava slide. The guitar and organ parts still set birds of paradise into flight, cause palms to shoot up and cast shade, and cascade cooling rains. This sets the mood for an exotic trip through the city in all of its sinful glory. Probably my fave is “Deep Cover (‘Lean Back, Keep Up’)”, which is a pretty funked out loop, probably the hardest hitting of the bunch. Available as a double LP or CD from the good folks at NNF or your local distributor. Get this now and get “On Patrol.” 9/10 -- Dave Miller (24 June, 2010)