Strut (label)
13 September 2011 (released)
27 August 2011
August Darnell/Kid Creole has always been a master of a dark story delivered under the most danceable and light sounding music and I really wondered what he had to offer in his first album for 10 years.
The answer is pretty much exactly what he is best at – if you don’t listen to his lyrics this is some of the most delicious Caribbean flavoured dance music and heartfelt balladeering in years.
But if you listen to his lyrics you find little gems like the title track: his and hers stories about a tropical holiday – he wants it but she ain’t giving it and she wants a holiday without constant booty calls. This is NOT a happy tale.
Every number is a story in its own right, no bland chest beating or regular love songs and the whole album is loaded with some superb playing. This is like a stage show where the ensemble each have their own tale to tell in a style all their own.
I think that we have really missed Kid Creole – there really isn’t anyone who creates music that you can dance to and wince at the story at the same time.
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This isn’t quite as good as his classic period of the ‘80’s but it comes close – essential.
