FUSE
- Pick A Hand EP
Anyone
remember My Little Funhouse? Nope. Shame, because they were a damn good
band who were scooped up straight from school, given a Geffen deal,
a support slot with the Gunners, and then promptly dropped.
Fuse
sound remarkably similar to said MLF, all post grunge, down tuned, but
pleasantly melodic. They've learned their trade the old fashioned way,
trekking round toilets and air force bases, building up live chops and
a catalogue of over 50 original songs.
And
it is good. Of the five songs on offer here, the winners are "Rewind"
and "My Machine" with the latter kicking some serious butt,
and replete with tempo changes a go-go. Well worth a listen, and there's
no reason why they shouldn't have a No 28 with a bullet hit sometime
soon.
http://www.fuselounge.com
BOOTSY COLLINS
- Play With Bootsy
It's
been a long time since Bootsy was vital, and when news of an all star
collaboration started to permeate my consciousness, I started to worry
for the funkmeister general. After all, Carlos Santana managed to make
one of the worst albums of his career when he did the same (although
I am reliably informed the new, unheard by me, Sanatana is even worse
- shiver:-).
So
how has Bootsy Baby coped with an influx of Snoop Doggs, Fat Joes, Rosie
Gaines, Fat Boy Slims, Rosie Gaines (yes!), Bobby Womack (yesser!) and
Lady Miss Kier (yessest!). Well, he's made the album Prince hasn't made
since the glory days of Diamonds and Pearls, the finest Bootsy album
in 25 years, and a strong contender for one of the albums of the year.
For
once, the star guests don't overshadow the main man, and when the funk
hits dead centre ("Groove Eternal"), you suddenly remember
why you bought those dancing shoes in the first place. Of the 12 real
tracks, at least nine are instant hits, a fairly remarkable strike rate
in this day and age.
The
old timers amongst us, who remember Dee-Lite with a great deal of fondness,
will leap with joy at the two Lady Miss Kier numbers, with "I'm
Tired Of Good, I'm Trying Bad" slipping in slightly ahead of "All
Star Funk". Hell, even the dreadfully named "The Bomb"
with Fat Boy Slim manages to pass muster. Top mars, however, go to Sly
& Robbie for "Soul Sista" and the divine Rosie Gaines
for "Don't Let 'Em".
Bootsy
is back, and it is good. 
ECONOLINE
- Full Tar
Hmm.
Not what I would have plucked off the rather splendid "Music Is
Stupid" ceedee, but hey, I'm sitting alone in a small cramped cupboard
typing out words that few will remember, while out there, real people
are having lives, putting their heart and soul into living and creating.
"Full Tar" is loud, quiet, loud, quiet, Built For Spill.
Luckily,
there is a reason to temporarily carry on, which is the seriously beautiful
"Goodbye Blue Monday", a resplendant lo fi, laid back, melodic
gem, which will get me through another four minutes.
You
really ought to buy the album, but you need to have "Goodbye.."
in your life as well, so pop off to http://www.seriouslygroovy.com
and hand over the readies. You'll thank me late
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