Five years after their eponymous debut LP London's Hot Border Special return with a powerhouse album entitled 'Are You Ready?' With studio wizard Malcolm Catto (The Heliocentrics/Mulatu Astake/Gaslamp Killer/Hannah Williams) at the helm, recording took place at Malcolm's Quatermass Sound in London, where the band recorded the freshest of tracks sure to inflict the severest head nod inducing whiplash! Hot Border Special certainly aren't afraid to take risks, with heavy tracks like opener 'Woo!' a funk/rock/latin killer and Cop Drama funk of 'Who is Tony Soap?' - showcasing just how filthy a groove can get - contrasting effortlessly with the mellow beauty of 'Good Egg Bad Egg' or the funky Sly inspired 'The Martha Strut'. They even take on classic Bollywood theme 'Sholay' and Mandrill's stonecold classic 'Mandrill' to thrilling effect. 'Are You Ready?' is a true representation of Hot Border Special's Live show, displaying fantastic musicianship but never sounding in the least self-indulgent and with members from bands including The Heliocentrics, The Quantic Soul Orchestra, The Mighty Mocambos, Noisettes & JetTricks to name but a few. The very heaviest of drums and percussion from Dan Hale and Paul Elliott underpin the funkiest of bass from Jamie Lawrence and with Dan Smith's soaring rock guitars let loose alongside James Beckett's psychedelic keys, Hot Border Special have produced a surefire future classic. Truly powerful - you've probably heard nothing quite like it, the only question is...Are You Ready?!