The Cuban Brothers - The Cuban Brothers

Back from Camp Bestival and the utter highlight were the Cuban Brothers (sorry PJ Harvey). I have never been so entertained. You have to see them if they are playing near you.

Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band - Scorpio

Dennis Coffey was one of the "Funk Brothers", that is, part of the legendary group who made up the musicians who did the backing for Motown Records. So you've probably heard him many times before, but this is his own strange, funky brew.

T Connection - At Midnight

A personal favourite. Very few records are really capable of summing up that sense of anticipation when you're about to go clubbing. This one does it perfectly, and I've had a few spectacular dances to it over the years.

Chilly - For Your Love

Disco biscuit number three. Mmm. Chilly were German discoteers.

For Your Love was covered in the naughties, which is why you've heard it before. What you've not heard before is the Status Quo style ending, which is awful compared to the rest of the track.

Machine - There But For The Grace Of God Go I

One we all may struggle with. The decision to pack up from the city and head out to suburbia is never easy. And in my view, it is best avoided unless one aims towards a destructive fondness for cheap sherry and Midsummer Murders.

The Mike Theodore Orchestra - The Bull

Disco week continues here at the Peanut Duck with the Mike Theodore Orchestra. This is music for the fantasy disco western we've never thought about before.

But then, we've all seen those cowboys on the dancefloor. They are so pretty.

Amant - If There's Love

Stone cold diamond disco, in celebration of the rise from the ashes. See the Pink Half for more details.

Etta James - Payback

Amy Winehouse wants to put down the bottle and listen to this.

Boo hoo until your face turns blue.

Booker T and the MGs - Green Onions

Massive excitement here at the Peanut Duck as Booker T plays Shepherd's Bush at the end of July. I have tickets!

Here is Booker T and the MG's at their most groovesome. Put on pinafore and move your hips!

Super Furry Animals - The Man Don't Give A

End of title removed to spare those of you at work. Listen on headphones eh?



Many an evening spent pogoing to this baby!

Kirsty MacColl - A New England

It's the summer, and if you're the vintage I am, that means jangling geetars, perfumed smoke and stupid trousers.

This year I'll be attending the thoroughly middle class festival of Camp Bestival, where all of these things will occur. Bestival is so lovely, unlike the piss riddled rock festivals which featured leather dudes covered in studs and drinking meths with food colouring of my youth. Now there are cash machines, mobile phones, and facilities. You can buy the Times at a festival. That's a head spinner when previously you were supposed to read the Socialist Worker. One year at Reading when I attended you were required to piss into a trench.



Most important on the way to a festival is the music you put on when you're getting there, and this track happily accompanied me to a few Reading Festivals. Kirsty MacColl was one of the coolest singers I ever heard.

East Harlem Bus Stop - Get On Down

As a big fan of the Fatback Band's "Do The Bus Stop", I thought this was worth a look. Again, its been sampled to death, but it is some tight funk with a cracking cover. One of the aspects to music which has basically disappeared over the years is covers, both album and single.

You don't need to have a strong visual image to market something, but you know, it helps. When it really works, you remember those musicians.

Kathleen Emery - Sometimes I Feel Like I'm A Motherless Child

Not very cheery, but terribly good. Kathleen Emery has that "stomp on my heart and I'll still blow smoke in your eyes" style just down pat.

Meck - Thunder In My Heart

Look, I'm asking you to ignore this features Leo Sayer because right now you're thinking Sideshow Bob and the hair thing. The fact is, its a cracking vocal and the original (which I can't find in its full, lush glory) is a solid gold sizzler.



I think I may just have to start a museum of old disco. Some of these records should have preservation orders on them.

The Trashmen - Surfin' Bird

Good old fashioned dirty arsed surfin' rock n' roll. Gargle with vodka and hit your desks to this!

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terell - The Onion Song

One of my less attractive habits to is sing in my sleep.

My boyfriend at the time woke up one morning to hear me murdering this tune as I snoozed, claiming dogmatically that the world was "just a great big onion".

Thankfully, Marvin and Tammi do it so much better.

The Four Tops - Just Walk Away Renee

I first heard this terrific tune watching a documentary about Belgium.

I immediately resolved two things:

a) to buy this track
b) visit Belgium

I can confirm that Belgium is definitely worth a look, and they do play Motown as well as Led Zeppelin, together with weeny beers that blow your senses to Outer Mongolia.

It's also one of the most surreal places you can visit. Never mind Barcelona, visit Brussels. Everytime I leave my head reels.