Out Come The Freaks - Soft Cell

Somehow I missed this when it popped up on You Tube last month, Soft Cell covering Was Not Was with added Nona Hendryx from their very last album (RIP Dave Ball), Danceteria. From the sounds of this Cell's swansong sees a bit of a return to the Non Stop Erotic Cabaret era (quite possibly one of my favourite albums of all time). Awesome stuff, just a shame Dave won't be here to see how well it goes down. 

Going Shopping - The Strokes

Autotune-tastic new track from The Strokes. Can it really be 25 years since Is This It was released? Good grief. 

Inner City Blues - Sarah Vaughan

Happily, in amongst the many Susan Boyle CDs, I found some cracking albums over the weekend including a 'best of' Mainstream Jazz album which features this rather fabulous version of Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues by Sarah Vaughan. Amazingly you can pick up a copy for less than three quid at the moment on eBay (Highstream - The Best Of Mainstream Jazz (CD, 1990) | eBay UK). A bargain at five times the price... 

Happy Birthday Luther

He may have gone to that great gig in the sky almost 21 years ago but, had he lived, today would have Luther Vandross's 75th birthday so let's have a little live version of Never Too Much from 1987. 

 

LPs - Jeffrey Lewis (Live)

It's Record Store Day this weekend, a great time for the independent shops of course, but I'm with Jeffrey Lewis these days...it's CDs all the way for me. Just like Jeff I bought shedloads of vinyl back in the 90s when everyone was switching over to CDs. Now, with regular vinyl and Record Store Day releases costing anything from £10+ for a single to goodness knows how much for an album, I'm buying shedloads of CDs. I've banged on about the growing collectability of CDs for years now but there are still bargains to be had out there if you're willing to hunt through several thousand Robbie Williams and Susan Boyle CDs. Hours of fun! 

Devil's Answer - Atomic Rooster

Listened to a disc from a 3 CD 70's rock comp I bought recently last night and this was one of the 'pick of the pops', a particularly groovy slice of prog rock from the equally groovily named Atomic Rooster. 

Derecho Demonico (Live) - Jack White

Having celebrated his half century last year Jack White's showing no signs of slowing down, as this spirited Saturday Night Live take on new track Derecho Demonico shows. Now that's the 'White' stuff eh? 

Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force

In tribute to Afrika Bambaataa, who's just gone to that great party in the sky, lets end the week with the genre busting hip hop electro classic Planet Rock. Over 40 years later it still sounds futuristic. 

First Boy In This Town (Lovesick) - Scritti Politi

Picked up Scritti Politti's third album, Provision, this week and here's one of its highlights, a fine slice of 80s blue eyed synth 'n' soul. I saw the Scritts a few years ago and remarkably Green's voice is just as good (and high) as it was back in the day, even though he was sporting the kind of beard that Grizzly Adams would have been proud of. 

Too Much Music - Jake Shears

Picked up the last Jake Shears solo album over the weekend and, given my penchant for buying CDs like they're going out of fashion, this track seems pretty appropriate. It's a bit of banger too if you're looking for a post Easter break energy boost...

Boogie Nights - Heatwave (1990 mix)

Picked up this random compilation of Heatwave's greatest hits given a 90s mix makeover. Sounds quaintly old skool now!