This makes me want to imbibe hard liquor, wash it down with a beer, smoke a few, and run around around London in the night time debasing myself and others. I play it too much. I play it to the point I should be bored. I play it again…

Caught these guys (Bruno Verner and Eliete Mejorado) live at some place in Vaxhaul – given the description of them I’d been given (Contemporary Brazilian Radicalism), I wasn’t expecting much and somewhat reluctantly went along. After they took the stage, I was still a little unsure, and spent at least a few minutes trying to decide if Miss Mejorado was cute, or sexy, or both. In any case, she had a nice tail.

Most of the set (as far as I can ascertain in hindsight) was taken from “Let Your X’s Be Y’s”, and much to my pleasure, the gig was excellent. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen a “band” with so much energy and difference. Contemporary Brazilian Radicalism? I could not place it, and nor did I want to. It was loud, sexy, and utterly raw, and I loved every minute of it.

So – check it out. Or even better, check ‘em out live. I’ll definitely be on the pulse with gig dates, so watch this space.

Just a b-side to note.

After Tricky’s 1995 debut “Maxinquaye”, “Knowle West Boy” is proving to be my favourite Tricky release to date. There is, of course, the usual army of (mostly female) guest vocals and somewhat surprisingly a cover of Kylie Minogue’s “Slow”. Compared to previous efforts, this is also a much more accessible album. There really is something for everyone, from some pretty gruff reggae (Bacative) to the beautiful “Cross to Bear”.

If you only buy 1 thing from this store – make it this. It’s simply brilliant.

Be sure to catch him at the Barbican show (Tricky + Wild Beasts + Skream) on the 6th Oct ‘08.

Derdang Derdang is one of those albums that takes pride of place on my list of things to hear before heading out.

Check out “Cherry Lips” and “Got to Get” and tell me you don’t feel the same… i reckon a “music to drink to” collection is not far off…

Tricky’s own label, Brownpunk, present a selection of their offerings.

Maybe you’ll be treated to a more succinct review once I’ve had the chance to write one.

Another band I picked up on quite by accident by watching them upstage a headline act, and have hence forth seen them several times since. White Rose Movement have a very 80’s revival sound, so if you’re not keen on that kind of thing, I would stop reading now. If you’re not put off – my god they do it well! Their first single “Love Is A Number”, is the track to preview. If you like that, you’ll love the album.

Seems fitting to follow a Tricky review with Martina Topley Bird, who was a long time collaborator of his on such releases as Maxinquaye and Blowback (also of note is that both Trickys’ and Martinas’ new releases, “Knowle West Boy”, and “The Blue God” respectively, were both produced by Dangermouse).

The Blue God is her second solo effort, following from Quixotic in 2003. The first single “Carnies” and “Baby Blue” are definitely the outstanding moments for me, and the album as a whole is pretty much a pleasure to sit through with a coffee on a sunny morning (such as I am). If there is a let-down – and it should by no means put you off it’s purchase – it’s “Da Da Da Da”. Why? Because I’m grumpy sod, and I don’t do twee.

This is great. For condoning drugs – I’m surprised they managed to create a “radio edit” at all. Skip to 1m 20 sec for the track to kick in good and proper.