Bebey, I Love You

Two classic tracks from the mighty Francis Bebey. Any attempt to describe them would be utterly futile.

"The Coffee Cola Song" - Francis Bebey

"Pygmy Divorce" - Francis Bebey

Spacebombed!

I had a most enjoyable evening at the Barbican yesterday courtesy of the Spacebomb Revue - a one-off gig featuring an array of artists who have had their records released on Spacebomb Records and/or recorded in Spacebomb studios and/or produced by Spacebomb head honcho Matthew E. White.

Hosted by Mr. White, as was only right, the singers were rotated rapidly using the "if you don't like this one, there will be another one along in a minute" system. Fortunately I liked most of them, including some I had never heard of before such as Cocoon and Bedouine.

It helped that, musically, for most of the evening you could have been back in the 1970s. There was no shortage of Southern soul, louche funk and Laurel Canyon moments. Foxygen appeared to be going for the Lou Reed meets 'Discovery'-era ELO vibe. And as for Howard Ivans - while I'm not sure the world really needs a new Boz Scaggs, if it does then its him.

"Follow The Leader" - Foxygen

"Retreat" - Cocoon

"Skyline" - Bedouine

"Never Over You" - Natalie Prass

Newness

We kick off October with a selection of some of the better freebies that I've received over the last couple of months. They are all from new albums that have either just been released or are just about to be. I've added the album title so you know what to look for when you decide you need to explore further.

"So True" - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (from "The Echo of Pleasure")

"Scene Here" - SISTERS (from "Wait Don't Wait")

"Ambulance" - Dylan Hicks (from "Ad Out")

"The Light Of Day" - Kacy & Clayton (from "The Siren's Song")

"The Moon's Detriment" - Shannon Lay (from "Living Water")

Another favourite recent freebie is "War Surplus" by Becky Warren. I was going to include it but then spotted that it first came out last year but is being promoted again. A good job too because I missed it first time round and I suspect many others may have done too. Here's a video clip:

Head to Head

Tonight's heavyweight DJ clash is between I Roy and Prince Jazzbo. On my card I make it a narrow points victory for I Roy - Jazzbo opens strongly but isn't as light on his feet and doesn't last the distance as well as his opponent.

"Straight to Prince Jazzbo's Head" - I Roy

"Straight to I Roy's Head" - Prince Jazzbo

Jazzbo accuses I Roy of being a mere U Roy impersonator. That is maybe a little harsh but, as good as tonight's two contenders are, I reckon U Roy could beat either of them with one hand tied behind his back. And as for his suits...

A Little Bit Off The Top

Back in the late 1970s when I was a young paddler in the zeitgeist - gingerly dipping my toes into it rather that surfing atop it as I do so effortlessly now - there were two reggae albums that were 'must haves' for all us boys in the shallow end. One was "Two Sevens Clash" by Culture, and the other "Best Dressed Chicken In Town" by Dr. Alimantado.

"I Killed The Barber" has always been one of my favourites from the good Doctor's masterpiece. But it is only fairly recently that I finally heard the original track over which he meanders so magnificently. Here they are together.

"I Trim The Barber" - Jackie Edwards

"I Killed The Barber" - Dr. Alimantado

Murry and Mate

Yesterday evening was spent in an old church round the back of St. Pancras station listening a man effing and blinding away.

The man in question was John Murry, currently touring to promote his new album "A Short History of Decay". I am not quite sure how to describe his performance, but I'll settle on "charismatic". Certainly you can't take your eyes off him, even if his stage patter is largely incomprehensible. You should definitely go along to see him if you get the opportunity.

Support came from Nadine Khouri, a new name to me but worth a listen as well. She also has a new album out. It's called "The Salted Air" and that is where this track comes from.

"Silver and Lead" - John Murry

"Catapult" - Nadine Khouri

As is often the way, there was a reasonable sprinkling of twerps at the gig. One sat right behind us and insisted on bellowing along with all John Murry's songs in order to show off to his pals - which is fine on the raucous numbers, but less so when Mr M is dramatically re-enacting his heartbreaking heroin traumas.

And then there was another who kept asking if people knew "his friend", indie superstar producer John Parrish. I toyed with pretending I thought he meant Man Parrish, but in the end decided "what would be the point?".

Have You Ever Seen The Wayne?

Some vintage reggae to brighten up your Sunday, courtesy of Wayne Wade, a man who should surely have his own tongue twister. "How much weight would Wayne Wade weigh if Wayne Wade would get weighed" perhaps?.

Both tracks come from his 1982 album, "Poor and Humble". All you Blue Mink fanatics out there will be intrigued and delighted by his cover of "Melting Pot", I am sure.

"She Don't Love Me" - Wayne Wade

"Melting Pot" - Wayne Wade

Two versions of "Melting Pot" in the same post may be a bit excessive - arguably one version is already excessive - so here are Blue Mink with their other hit for you.