The Next Big Thing

Been nursing a headache of varying proportions for about a week now. While it's still evident it isn't making me feel nauseous now. I can only assume that's down to the amount of paracetamol that I've popped since last Tuesday. However, needs must and in the area of fighting fire, I thought to myself that some loud music might actually quell the old nip. Not sure about the science part there but it kind of made sense at the time.

Anyway, the soul-tinged stylings of THE SLOW SLUSHY BOYS "LOVE AND AFFECTION" ten inch mini album seems like a good way to start. 10 cuts crammed into this svelt groove with a warmth and grace seldom experienced in recent times. These SSB fellas have their art down-pat and this B-Soul release is something of a revelation. The hammond-fueled antics are as infectious as all get out and like all good hootch, the originals sit effortlessly beside the covers. The title is derived from the Nathaniel Mayer penned "I Want Love and Affection" that kicks this wanton stramash off. Stand out is the unstoppable "Slush Puppy" that would set any worthy dancefloor on fire. Their slide on through Arthur Conley's "I'm Gonna Forget About You" is worthy of The Skeletons themselves. Prepare to get shivers and shakes in equal measures.

LES GODZILLAS appear on that SSB slab but also have their own 250mm (approx) diameter platter available. "GREEDANGELAMENTO" is made up of two group originals and covers of The Seeds, Wanda Jackson, The Pandoras and The Fall (!). The thing that sets it apart from being just another "Girls In The Garage" type thing is its overt Frenchness. It has that Gallic cool which packs a distinct feel to the delivery as opposed to just bashing a songs brains out.

No prizes for guessing where THE DELTABONDS "GOT FUN IF YOU WANT IT" is coming from but it's Fleshtone-powered rambunctiousness short circuits the authentic nature of the garageness. It isn't stuck in the rut of any one era and is somehow recorded as an open ended party invitation. If they can cut it like this live then it'd be quite a hoedown.

Gotta hand it to these French kids. They've been beavering away at rock'n'roll's coal face for years. There was a time when the only place that a US band could get arrested would be in France. Since those days, Spain has come along to offer refuge to the real mccoy in terms of similar mania but if it wasn't for our European brothers and sisters, real music - like real ale - would be in serious trouble. It might well have become extinct by now.

Be a putz and reckon that the UK is the place to be if you want but it's all happening just over yonder horizon. The LARSEN department is ready to help you with your requests for their timeless catalogue staples. A fine place where familiarity could never be construed with contempt.