From The Daily Mirror 26.06.09 by Gavin Martin:

Friday, February 27, 2009

New Nick Welsh and Rhoda Dakar Album, plus Third Skaville UK Record in the Works!

Nick Welsh (Skaville UK, ex-Bad Manners, Selecter, etc.) was kind enough to send me a preview track from his upcoming album with Rhoda Dakar (ex-Bodysnatchers and Special AKA), Back to the Garage. As the title might suggest, this is an all out rock 'n' roll record and from the cut I heard, "New York Doll," it's going to be fantastic.

Yes, there will be no off-beats here, but Nick's got the knack for writing incredible songs and Rhoda's voice is richer than ever. I think I'd follow them if they took up some obsure form of Ukranian folk music--down the musical rabbit hole, so to speak--they're that talented and clearly collaborate so well. Check out their respective MySpace pages (linked above) for a few more samples of their kick-ass garage rock! And stay tuned for more details.

Nick also reports that work has begun on the third Skaville UK record, which will feature horns and include a bonus CD of acoustic tracks. If you haven't already picked up their other excellent records, 1973 and Decadent (which also include guest vocals from Rhoda), what are you waiting for?
Posted by Steve from Moon at 6:37 AM

Just a quick heads up. I did an interview with Marc Wasserman, bass player with American ska band Bigger Thomas. He has a blog about all things ska, reggae, soul and rocksteady, called Marco On The Bass. Here's the link: http://marcoonthebass.blogspot.com/ He's included video clips and asked questions I'd never been asked before, amazingly. Cheers Marc!

Freakshow In Your Head - Nick Welsh

Night In My Veins - The Pretenders

Guitar - Prince

Dolphins - Tim Buckley

Premier Gaou - Magic System

Wisdom - The Brian Jonestown Massacre

Dust Devil - Madness

Gimme Danger - Iggy & The Stooges

To Sir With Love - Dawn Penn

Country Girl - Primal Scream

So, as a joke and an allusion to Skaville's 1973 lyric, I said I wish it was 1966. (This should, of course, be 'were', but we'll ignore the grammar for now.) Within half an hour I received a comment. I do, vaguely, remember 1966 and going to watch the World Cup Final in colour at the cinema (did I imagine that bit?). I had a shopping bag with a Union flag and 'I'm backing Britain' on it. Myself (mice-elf? No, too early) and a friend made dresses from newspaper because we'd seen them on the catwalk reports from Paris. It was my first holiday at Camber Sands, about which I wax lyrical from time to time. During a visit to Hastings (1066 and all that), I bumped into my cousin Kelly on the prom whilst she was on a school trip. Idyllic childhood memories.

Swinging London? Some of it. Fab and groovy music and clothes? Conceded. Thunderbirds? Yes Ken. But also Batman! In Brixton, we still had 'Desmond's Hip City', surely the finest name ever for a record shop! It's where I bought my first single, 'My Boy Lollipop'. But all was not well with the world. It wasn't even well within the British Isles (I'm including Northern Ireland). Let's see, abortion and male homosexuality were still illegal. Another year to go for those milestones. Sexism and racism were the norm - institutionalised and all but enshrined in law (with no written constitution, don't get me started). Police brutality and all that goes with it were commonplace. On a class tour of the local police station, I asked why there was blood on the walls of the interview room. We weren't asked back. Kids, eh!

1966? No thanks, you can keep it. Look back with an affectionate smile and a nod, but give me today and a better tomorrow!

Rhoda and Dave Cairns of Secret Affair get hot under the collar with Garry this month.
Here's the link http://www.totalrock.com/podcast/GarryBushell-09.mp3
Enjoy!

Mr Misery - The Aggrolites
Dirty reggae, grab it off their page now! Yes, right now!

Linger - The Cranberries
First time I heard this I nearly crashed my car, as I couldn't see through the tears.

Lillah - Khaled
This is ska...Algerian style. Perfect fusion.

Here I Am Baby - Al Brown
Takes me back to when I first started clubbing. Easily the best version.

Serious Times - Gyptian
Choooooooon! And what a voice!

No Sant - Wasis Diop featuring Lena Fiagbe
Hypnotic. Takes me off to another, calmer, place.

Fist City - Loretta Lynn
Oh yes, Ms Lynn, girlfight! Camp as nuts. Love it.

Ouelli El Darek - Khaled
More unexpected reggae from the King of Raï. Backing vocals by the I Threes (yes really!).

Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys
I was in the no camp till I heard this. Then I had to buy the CD!

Ya Loualid - Cheb Khaled and Chaba Zahouania
The King and Queen of Raï respectively. Oui, quant à moi, eh alors? Enjoy!

I was recently asked to list my Motown top 10, for their website. Never got the link, perhaps someone could let me know!

Almost impossible to narrow it down to ten! Spent the rest of the day with Temptations tunes running through my head theyre my Motown favourites all round.

The Four Tops - Reach Out
I love everything about this track. The lyrics, the dance tempo, the harmonies, the lead vocals. They were the coolest boy band, best moves, best dressed.

The Isley Brothers - Put Yourself In My Place
I really love the riff, its so beautiful. A few bars and Im off into another land. Then the vocals, ah here we go.

The Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze
Classic guitar Isleys. I heard this all that summer. It takes me back immediately and Im sixteen again.

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancin In The Street
Once again the soundtrack to a summer, but not any particular one, all of them I think!

The Marvelettes - When Youre Young & In Love
Quite simply the very best girl group outing on Motown. A beautiful song, sublime vocals and harmonies.

Marvin Gaye - Abraham, Martin & John
Plaintive vocal, excellent lyrics. The first time I was aware of the prevailing black consciousness on Motown. It was even played at a school assembly.

Marvin Gaye - Lets Get It On
I want to say the best shagging track on Motown, but Im trying to be more literate. Oh sod it

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tracks Of My Tears
I originally fell in love with Bryan Ferrys version. However, on closer examination, Smokeys voice is so pure, it cant be bettered.

Stevie Wonder - Lovin You Is Sweeter
I really like the urgency in the music and the vocal. This is a message that he simply has to get across to anybody wholl listen. It epitomises the head rush of young love.

The Temptations - Its Growing
This is my favourite start to a song ever! I couldve almost filled this list with Temptations tracks, but I thought Id cast my net farther a field. My favourite Temps track? How could I choose?