Urban Dance Squad

Persona Non Grata

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/9211916-Urban-Dance-Squad-Persona-Non-Grata

Year Of Release: 1994

Review

Persona Non Grata is my favourite album from Dutch group Urban Dance Squad. A few years prior to its release I’d heard (and enjoyed) Mental Floss For The Globe. This album, however, seemed a lot heavier on the guitar which fit in well with my fascination with many of the rap / rock bands that were doing the rounds at the time.

Urban Dance Squad was also the first real gig I went to see, having the opportunity to see them play at Le Théâtre Barbey in Bordeaux in November, 1994. They were amazing live – full of energy and so loud (maybe they seemed so loud because I wasn’t bright enough to use ear protection in those days).

They put out six albums (I’m not counting the Singles Collection released after they split up) in their time together and I recommend you go check them out. There’s a massive variety of musical styles being incorporated into the songs, and it’s fascinating to compare what they were doing in Europe at the same time as bands were doing something similar in the U.S.

Standout tracks on this one are Demagogue, Good Grief!, (Some) Chitchat, and Hangout. I used to really enjoy Downer, but nowadays I can’t come at it. Anyway, check out Urban Dance Squad if you haven’t.

Rating: 8/10