La Vie en Rose presents...volume one

Feeling that pre Christmas lull? Cop a listen to this then. I picked it up on CD last weekend for just 20p and it's hi-nrg-tastic from start to finish. 

Hairstyle Of The Devil - Momus

Picked up yet another of those 100 tracks from the 80s 5 CD compilations at the weekend and amongst all of the usual suspects was this Momus tracks. I do love a bit of Momus and it never ceases to amaze me that he never really made it when you listen to stuff like this. If you like Pet Shop Boys you'll love it. 

I Didn't Come Here For Art - Lynks

Blimey, where's the time going eh? If your pre-Christmas wind down is turning into a festive wind-up give this track a spin and have a dance around your office/kitchen/prison cell (I know my audience). 

Steve Cropper RIP

Another musical genius joins that great gig in the sky. If all Steve Cropper had done was to co-write (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay that'd be enough, but he played on some of the greatest soul songs of all time too. Oh hang on...he also co-wrote Knock On Wood and In The Midnight Hour too?! Not too shabby eh? Here are just three other tracks that Cropper added a little magic to...

Dr. Ice Cold - Room Service

Another instant classic from Room Service. Drop this at the Christmas party and you're guaranteed to pull. Hell yeah. 

Gemini Rising - New Orleans Saxophone Ensemble

Managed to limit myself to just the two CDs over the weekend, one of them a compilation of New Orleans music entitled Jockomo Jockomo (you can pick it up online for less than a fiver). It's a cracking comp featuring, amongst other gems, this track. Cool eh? 

Frightening Machines - Katherine Priddy

How beautiful is this track eh? It seems pretty appropriate for this time of the year too, when most of us are counting down the days until we can chill out a little over Christmas. Next year sees Katherine embark on her biggest solo tour to date, including one (a home town gig) at the legendary Town Hall in Brum.