Falling between his 2004 effort,
Gute Musik, and his breakthrough effort of 2008,
So Sehr Dabei,
Weit Weg is the sound of Germany’s
Clueso transitioning from a strict hip-hop rapper to a genre-spanning artist. It’s still based in hip-hop, and he’s still a clever wordsmith, but that Lion of Judah on the cover is the first clue that reggae has entered
Clueso’s life, with many of the tracks here delivering an island flavor. Pop and R&B are explored too, along with more conventional singing styles. ~ David Jeffries