Can I Play With Madness - Iron Maiden

How can I have made it to 56 without knowing that Monty Python's Graeme Chapman played the teacher in this epically 80s video? 

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - Rick Astley & Blossoms

Talk of a lost generation (or more likely generations) of young people in this country (and probably every country) who can't find work made me recall this unexpected but bizarrely brilliant hook up between Rick Astley and Blossoms from 2023's Glasto. 

Like Rick and the boys I've been lucky enough to be gainfully employed for pretty much all of my life but heaven knows what the poor sods in their teens and 20s are going to do for a living in a future stuffed full of AI, driverless vehicles, drone deliveries, robots and a population that's too lazy or scared to ever go out again for fear of getting raped or stabbed in the head (and quite possibly both) by an 11 year old looking for Tik Tok content and who won't even get a slap on the fricking wrist if he's ever caught.  

the van - Bleachers

Been hearing this track a lot on 6 Music recently. It's a new one but it sounds like it's been around for decades, thanks to that Philly soul vibe in the background together with the odd nod to classic era Springsteen. 

Sunshine Day - Osibisa

After a colder than average May in the UK it looks as though we might actually see a little sun over the bank holiday weekend. So what better tune to usher it in than Osibisa's classic Sunshine Day. 

Tekila Bum Bum - Montefiori Cocktail

Another random track from another random CD pick up (a cheapo compilation album called Electric Grooves). This one's the kind of hidden gem that Tarantino would pluck from obscurity...but I beat him to it. If he sends me $1million I'll keep my trap shut though. How about it Q? 

Good News - Mari Wilson

I have a soft spot for Mari Wilson after making her classic Just What I Always Wanted single (a top 10 smash back in 1982) one of my first proper record purchases. At a sprightly 71 the Neasden Queen of Soul's back with a brand new album that nods back to that time and this track's the first taster. 

PS: For anyone who hasn't heard Just What I Always Wanted here it is...ahhhh...the memories...

Redeemer - Yard Act

Yard Act take a deliciously darker turn with new track Redeemer, suitably reflective of the state of the world right now.