Well, this was always going to be hard. I have a collection of 20,000 records and CD’s and I love music from Opera to Punk, from 19th century Music Hall to Cajun, from Industrial to Alternative and every permutation of Soul, Funk, Jazz and Latin – everything!
OK, so, absolutely right now if you came over to mine:
The Danleers – One Summer Night
A Doo Wop ballad. This is just one of thousands I could choose though. As a music-style, it’s my first love and I could easily just listen to it on it’s own for the rest of my life.
Echo And The Bunnymen – Rescue (Korova)
I’ve just been to see them at the Royal Albert Hall and I came away quite emotional. I’ve been a fan for 28 years and I still believe that they’re the best band on this planet.
Eddie Palmieri – Solito (RMM)
The title track of the most ultimate and heavy duty Salsa Jazz album of all time. Palmieri’s tension-filled piano playing puts me on the edge of my seat throughout this faultless album. He wrote a track on my latest album, believe it or not!
Errol Dixon – Too Much Whiskey (Blue Beat)
The Rhythm and Blues end of Jamaican Ska from 1961. I just purchased it this afternoon so you’d definitely be hearing this back at mine.
The Johnny Burnette Trio – Drinkin’ Wine Spo-de-o-de (Coral)
As a pacifist, why does this muscle-bound, hard-nosed bruiser of a Rockabilly track make me want to hurl a chair across the room in to a crowd?
The Family Fortune – Work 3.40 (Skyline)
One of hundreds of great, new, authentic, late-60’s sounding Funk 45’s. Although very much James Brown sounding (no bad thing!) this band hold their own. As hard as nails.
Peter Sellers – Any Old Iron (EMI)
At her request, I throw one of my daughters (Jessie) around the lounge to this everyday. It’s a daily ritual. It’s hysterically funny every time and great to dance to too!
Xymox – Evelyn (Wing)
Moody-vocal Industrial from the late-80’s. I’m a sucker for it every time. I belive the style has been reinvented as ‘Darkwave’ now I believe?
Chick Corea – The Slide (WB)
Anyone who knows me in the Jazz Dance scene knows that this is my all-time favourite. Dirty, tough, fast self-indulgent Jazz Fusion, but above all – a great dancer!
Wynonie Harris – I Love My Baby’s Pudding (Proper)
It’s not surprising Jump Jive is getting played left, right and centre at the moment from DJ’s like Keb Darge, Andy Smith, Andy Weatherall, Raw Deal etc. It’s, serious, dirty, tough and (ultimately) great to dance to. Come on, everyone loves it really!
Snowboy And The Latin Section ‘Communication’ album will be released October 27th 2008 on Freestyle Records UK
