a solo artist beginning with 1998's Unfinished Monkey Business. He went on to contribute to several tracks on Brown's follow-up, Golden Greats, and become a semi-permanent member of Brown's touring band. Also during the late '90s, Ibrahim began his own solo career; debuting with the standout track 'Morassi' which featured contributions from Eastern electronic guru Talvin Singh and ex-Roses bassist Mani. Taking time off from work with Brown, Aziz Ibrahim released his own solo album in 2001, titled Lahore to Longsight (Lahore being a city in Pakistan, Longsight being the neighborhood of Manchester where he grew up). The album was released on Ibrahim's own Indus Records, an independent label based in Manchester. The all-star musicians Ibrahim was able to pull in to work on his solo debut—including Paul Weller and his compatriot Steve White, as well as the ex-Smiths rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce—clearly indicated the high esteem Ibrahim's peers hold him in the realm of British rock. ~ Aaron Warshaw, All Music Guide Dean Carlson from Microsoft Music, regarding the albums says that former Stone Roses replacement Aziz Ibrahim is one of those musicians who demands the sort of loyalty known of mutual friends and in-laws, but where the average session grunt can't discern arrogance from reality, Aziz fights for his own strain of luck and skill long enough to pick up the clarity of Arthur Lee and chew on its rind. On the baronial "Living a Lie," he has created something as unique as the Housemartins steeped in political intrigue, with a slightly Eastern arrangement, and in "Mummy's Boy" you get the kind of song the Wonder Stuff would have made if they ever had conviction. But Aziz also seems somewhat unprepared for a full LP, wobbling out after the first act. While Paul Weller; Talvin Singh; ex-Smiths Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce; and ex-Roses Reni and Mani all slot appearances, Aziz is able to build upon the musical themes he sets up with this remarkable pool of talent, but not missing out on the freedom and self-scrutiny that a solo effort like this typically allows. Lahore to Longsight is remarkable for what it is, then, but also for the fact it even exists at all, a debut which accomplishes more than it should while succeeding far more than its gluttonous nexus of musicians implies. Notes Songs about Lahore Aziz Ibrahim albums 2001 debut albums