If you’re wondering where hip hop can possibly go these days without repeating the tried and tested clichés that have almost started to stagnate the scene in recent years than you should check out artists such as Sage Francis, Beans, Edan and the Anticon crew such as cLOUDDEAD, Boom Bip and the like. However, if the occasionally avant gard approach of those guys is a little too unpalatable for some tastes then Automato are here for your listening pleasure.

Merging intelligent samples and interesting rhythmical structures with a forward-thinking approach to recording (using real instruments where necessary), this NYC six piece have already started to cause a stir in certain circles before their début album is even released. The interest is well deserved. The self titled album is a self-assured collection that flows from beginning to end and mixes funky percussion with elements of electronica and even flourishes of folk (yes, folk) with its occasional acoustic guitar layered up in the mix. Add to this the laid-back but informed vocal delivery and lyrical stylings that seem to ride the music but never dominate and you have a pretty faultless slab of progressive hip hop goodness.

With their use of a real band sound on many tracks, Automato could be accused of riding the coat tails of acts such as the Roots but the impressively broad spectrum of samples, sounds, beats and rhythms on the album keeps it from falling into easily comparable categories. The closest reference points on tracks such as the closer, “Hope”, are Warp acts such as Prefuse 73 (which is an achievement in itself) but “Automato” should be viewed in a genre all its own. (How does PROG-HOP sound?)

With a few live dates in the UK on the horizon, the Automato star is definitely on the ascendant. Take note, Dr. Dre.