Mick's Up - The Style Council

Finally got my hands on The Complete Adventures of the Style Council boxset recently and span disc one last night which features this instrumental gem from the underrated genius that is Mick Talbot. It's a funky souly thang.  

Reach For The Sun - The Polyphonic Spree

If there's one band that comes close to the life affirming nature of a Misty's Big Adventure gig it's The Polyphonic Spree and this track in particular seems appropriate right now... 

Grandmaster Gareth RIP

I have no words. Okay, that’s not strictly true but after trying for three days to digest the frankly shattering news that Gareth Jones aka Grandmaster Gareth, the driving force behind legendary Birmingham band Misty’s Big Adventure, had ‘left us’ I still can’t take it in. The nature of Gareth’s passing is his and his family’s affair but I hope he knew how much he was loved and admired by those of us who had the privilege of seeing him perform, hearing his music and meeting with him in some sticky floored venue or another over the years. I could waffle on and on…and quite possibly on…about what he and his band meant to me but I think it’s best to let the music speak for itself. My thoughts and sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and many (but nowhere near as many as he and the band deserved) fans who are no doubt feeling just as numb as I am right now. RIP Gareth. X

PS: If you're new to the band you can still pick up a copy of The Young Person's Guide To Misty's Big Adventure here...please do...

One Life To Live - Lou Rawls

Uplifting and classy slice of Philly disco soul from Lou Rawls, courtesy of another bargain CD compilation (West End Girls on the...er...Laserlight Digital label...nope...me neither). It's easy to be sniffy about compilation albums but I've grown to love 'em. At £1 this CD contains no less than 16 great tracks which works out...hang on...at 6.25p each. Bargain. Evidently somebody else thought so recently as they snapped up a copy on eBay for just under £8.00  West End Girls (1971-85, incl. Maxis) Jesse GREEN, Lee Marrow, Lime, Linda Carr, | eBay

Sweet Potato - John Renbourn

Picked up a 'best of' John Renbourn CD last week for 50p and can highly recommend spending an hour or three exploring his back catalogue. How easy does he make playing the guitar look...? Surely he had twice as many fingers and hands as the rest of us? 

Genocidal Humanoidz - System Of A Down

Not sure if I ever posted this comeback track from SOAD when it came out back in 2021 but even if I did you can never have too much SOAD can you eh? Sadly given Putin's current insanity this track's even more relevant than when it was written (in aid of the victims of the most recent Armenian and Azerbaijan conflict). 

I'm Travelling On - Ruby Turner

I'm not remotely religious but I do love a bit of gospel and this cut from Ruby Turner (another of last weekend's CD picks) hit the spot when I was lounging about in the bath last night. Amen! 

My Sweetheart - Rahsaan Patterson

Took a punt on this CD at the weekend (laying out a whole pound coin) and uncovered a bit of a neo soul gem. Here's one of the picks of the album, echoes of Stevie Wonder with a light dusting of Prince on the top.