Various: Bends For 166 Miles (Twisted Nerve)
Bends For 166 Miles is a souvenir of the label's recent night in Dublin when they got up early, came to Ireland, played a storming show and went home happy. In an endearingly wayward manner, Twisted Nerve have shown that you don't need to toe a party-line or adhere to set formulas to get attention. Label chief Badly Drawn Boy's Jewel Thief, a shy groove which will leave you both reeling and grinning, or his cohort Andy Votel, whose chunky Pick Pocket is a fine primer for his forthcoming solo album, are cases in point. Elsewhere, Dakota Oak's slender I Love Buses And Girls, the sweet chimes of Alfie's James Dream and Sirconical's electronic visions on Cottonopolis are yours to get to know and love.
- Jim Carroll
Francois K Essential Mix (Essential)
The essential Francois Kevorkian experience is to be had at Body & Soul on a Sunday afternoon in downtown NYC, but seeing as we're here and not there, we'll take this instead. Kevorkian is a genuine master at work, a DJ and producer who has been at the centre of New York clubland life since arriving in the city from his native France, and here he rewinds 25 years of dance music history. A lucky bag of delights, it takes in everything from Level 42 and Chaka Khan to German nu-jazz chaps Jazzanova and classic NY house cuts from Exodus. Two and a half hours of quirky eclectism, you too can have Francois K for your next house party for the price of this CD.
- Jim Carroll
