Cornershop have split. For good. That was the headline four years ago when, fed up with the stress generated by the success of the album When I Was Born For The 7th Time, and in particular the worldwide smash, "Brimful Of Asha", frontman Tjinder Singh decided to call it a day.

They went on to pursue serious side-projects (most notably Clinton) and it must have seemed that Cornershop was gone for good. Then, at the beginning of 2001, word began to trickle out that they were back together. The recordings, the rumour ran, would be "very Stax-influenced". And this very nearly hits the nail on the head.

Handcream For a Generation is the sound of Booker T And The MGs landing right in the middle of the 21st century, led by a man who increasingly seems like some kind of Lou Reed / Bob Marley hybrid. It's such an ambitious record that it's hard to know where to place it in terms of genre. It celebrates the old whilst delivering the new.

Beginning and ending with "Heavy Soup", this affectionate homage to "Soul Kitchen" sounds so immediately fresh that it's hard to resist putting the track on again immediately. And the majority of this wonderful record provokes a similar impulse. There is a constant feel of spontaneity within the grooves - throughout, you get the feeling that anything could happen; it's like listening to a pirate radio station.

The whole thing sounds like it could collapse around Cornershop's ears at any moment (witness the false start of "Motion The 11") but this only makes the listener will them on even more. Very rarely have I felt like leaping to my feet whilst listening to a record for the first time and shouting "Go on, you can do it", but moments like these occur several times during the course of the record.

When you think of the "musical growth rate" of this band from, their progression from where they started, well, lets just say it's the opposite to Spinal Tap, and yet rocks just as hard (check first single "Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III").

This is a political album, but it is shot through with the kind of humour and warmth rarely seen since the days of Sly And The Family Stone. "People Power" and "The London Radar" are more disco than Pulp could ever dream of being.

Sonically, the band's palette stretches for miles - uninhibited by any desire to fit into any music industry marketing niche; in fact, they state that "they understand guns in the A&R office". It is this kind of cheek that makes HFAG so marvellous. I don't know what Tjinder is singing on "Spectral Mornings" but you can bet your bottom dollar it's a little bit naughty. Oh, and I'm putting money on "Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform" being a number one should they choose to release it - it's joyous.

There's just one problem. If there's any justice, this album is going to be massive - worldwide. So, will Cornershop live to make another record? Let's hope so. This one might just be the best album made by a British band since Screamadelica.

Below you will find a track-by-track commentary on Cornershop's new album Handcream For A Generation (* denotes a contender for a future single release).

1. Heavy Soup*

Soundcheck. The world in this hour is seeking soul-stirring melodies, which is why we hand you over to the legendary Otis Clay, recorded specially in New York City, with old world grace and streamlined modernity. "Daddy, that crew swings like a gate".

The gate to typify the album, with slices of the melodies that you will soon be hearing on this album. Decorative. Fucked. Reliable. Built to last. Quality material. And swinging.

2. Staging The Plaguing Of The Raised Platform*

The Word of God says, "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Mat. 7:7)."

Thank Him for His Holy promises, which are in Him, yea and Amen. As Ananda wins the seventy four cup, he goes into hell to get some people out again."

3. Music Plus 1*

Today I am happy to say, God has fulfilled His promises in my life, according to Psalm 37:4.

Surely I can agree with the Psalmist in saying 'God hath done marvellous things. He has worked wonders in my life. He has put desire to sing in me, than my soul burst forth in song.'

4. Lessons Learned From Rocky l To Rocky lll*

A classic. The Times tagged it "T-Rexellent". "Knockout stuff ", said Q, making it Single of the Month. With The Guig on bass duty, we call it The Permanent Affirmanent.

5. Wogs Will Walk*

Walking at the pace of the world wide web, as if The Streets were Asian, and walking into New York City with pirate cassette tapes from German magnetic tape produced on Tokyo audio.

Co-produced by Rob Swift, it is said to be the most politically relevant Asian track ever!

6. Motion The 11*

"Motion The 11" is a dance movement. Hands firmly up in the air as demonstrated by the album cover. Whereas the dance movement on their last album was to move yr feet like the aeroplane wheel (track 6), this dance is like directing the plane out of its hanger.

You can join in the sounds of roots revival with Jack Wilson and Kojak and a great Revival Team. Pick up the rockers. Pama. Rally round the R.E.D. G.O.L.D. & G.R.E.E.N. in praise of the most high.

Initially released in the summer of 2001 as a limited-edition white label, and described at the time as "the finest record that Cornershop have made to date" (NME).

7. People Power*

Put on plastic only because previously the record company had rejected this boil in the bag mix.

Now people arrest yourselves.

8. Sounds Super Recordings

Presenting the anointed beat, with soul music, and commemorating the passing of Supa - a songwriter from India.

9. The London Radar*

Moving out of London now by air travel to Genoa. Already being played in Miami, Chicago and Detroit on white label.

10. Spectral Mornings*

Featuring signature Noel Gallagher guitar - about 20 layers of it. This track was streamed over the world for 24 hrs non-stop to become the longest track ever to have been aired. Noel has been known to do his washing up to it. Lyrically it's an anti-war song.

11. Slip The Drummer One*

Rob Swift on the dip switch again. Paramedics are on the dance floor dropping the big fat thing they call bomb.

12. Heavy Soup (Outro)

Mr Otis Clay has left the building, & the gate is still swinging.

+ Bonus Track

which comes courtesy of Tjinder recording his girlfriend & some friends after a celebration party, with music like the theme tune to "Taxi" - the ultimate in Sound entertainment.