So, over a year since the whitelabel version of his debut single So Good Today was voted one of the top 5 records of 2005 by listeners to Gilles Peterson's Worldwide show, Ben Westbeech's debut album is finally upon us.And my has it been worth the wait. Mixing a voice with tinges of Jamiroquai, with hip hop beats, acid jazz stylings, shimmering electro sounds and even drum & bass, the album is a real grower with not a single filler to be found.I was lucky enough to go to an invite only showcase of the album at the world famous Ronnie Scott's jazz club, but here I'll break the album down track by track:

Welcome - Moody intro, with haunting piano, weird vocal sample and some rather plaintive singing by Ben

So Good Today - If you haven't heard this yet you really should - amazing tune with a great hip hop beat & accoustic guitar

Get Silly - Great sample from Ray Barretto's cover of Stevie's Pastime Paradise drives this funky little number about a pissed night out

Bright Future - Instrumental number; like the tunes Bukem's Earth albums compiled - horns & beats that make you nod your head

Nothing Else - Featured on the Brownswood Bubblers compilation, 21st Century soul that makes me think he could be an English Vikter Duplaix

Gotta Keep On - Sure to be a dancefloor smash - pure rhodes driven acid jazz that looks to the future rather than the past

Taken Away From - Slow number about love & loss that manages to get a nod to Oasis' Wonderwall in the verse

Grey Skies - Another instrumental track - lovely chill-out with a hint of Royksopp

Stop What You're Doing - Think big band jazz, but with a 21st twist

Dance With Me - After hearing this you'll want to dance with him. A must for a single release

Get Closer - funky drum & bass number co-produced by fellow Bristolian Die

Hang Around - The current single is two remixes of this, the most Jamiroquai-like track on the LP (the video is at the bottom of this post)

Pusherman - An update, rather than a cover, of Curtis' track of the same name. Awesome funky bass drives this tune

In/Out - Guess what this one is about? A humorous take on the most natural of human functions with the most catchy use of a xylophone I've ever heard

Beauty - The B-side of the white-label 12" of So Good Today, it's another moody instrumental with lovely strings and clever beats

So, Welcome To The Best Years Of Your Life comes out in the UK on March 26th and you really ought to buy it. The way that Ben Westbeech mixes genres & styles seamlessly stands up to any of his peers (think Winehouse & Allen) and my only worry is that it's being released too early to be remembered when the Mercury nominations roll around. No - really!Enjoy the video to Hang Around whilst you count down the days to March 26th..