When I interviewed George Clinton in 1989 for the Washington Times, I asked him about his mid-’80s collaborations with British synth wizard Thomas Dolby (“She Blinded Me with Science”).Clinton explained that he wanted to connect with a “new wave of funk bands” coming out of Europe. Dr. Funkenstein expected that Europeans would carry the funk forward, the way bands like Led Zeppelin did with the blues.
“Kajagoogoo was a funky band to me,” George Clinton told me. “That was a funky band. It wasn’t quite ready for everybody.”
I never did my own investigation as to how funky Kajagoogoo was or wasn’t. After a few hit singles – most notably “Too Shy” – that British band had faded from the scene.
Now Kajagoogoo is back together with a new studio album, “Gone to the Moon,” which was released last week in the U.K.
A track called “Table for One” is available as a FREE MP3... and, yeah, it’s kinda funky. Click here to hear it on my Vox blog.
To download it, click the song title below.
“Table for One” (MP3)
More on this album
16 comments:
Don't sleep on the Kajagoogoo, baby. One common thing about those British hair bands - tight tight bass players. "Too Shy" has a great bass line.
Bow Wow Wow, The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite, Duran Duran, the Specials, the Selecter, Public Image, Gang of Four, The Birthday Party, XTC - all had amazing pop/funk bass players.
I liked British New Wave in the 80's and like it now. Call me a geek but, at its best, sounded like early sixties bubble gum soul.
Eric: I totally slept on Duran Duran, Gang of Four and most of those other bands. But judging by this new Kajagoogoo track, you're right about the tight bass-playing.
Dude, I turn away from the computer screen after I click on the link to your site. Then, Im greeted with a mind-searing flash of white and blond - you gotta warn someone when you decide to post a pic like this!
My eyes, my eyes!
L
Kajagoogoo today, eh? What's next? A Flock of Seagulls? A-Ha? And I kinda sorta expected 'Cinco de Mayo-ish' musical selections this week from you UBM. Stuff like Kinky, Jaguares, Cafe Tacuba, Aterciopelados, Fabulosos Cadillacs, Lhasa de Sela or Lila Downs etc... Still, 'Too Shy was kinda cool back in the day. Long live the 80's!
Apropos of nothing, Busta Jones once played on a Gang of Four tour when their regular bass player dropped out (I can't remember if he quit, or was just sick).
All I remember from Kajagoodoo is "Too Shy."
Kajagoogoo today, eh? What's next? A Flock of Seagulls? A-Ha?
F*ck! I hated "Take On Me," the song and the video.
I was into Level 42, tho'! I was feelin' ABC, and Duran Duran too.
Lola: Hope I didn't permanently damage your screen! ;^D
Jeff: Busta Jones! Can't believe that's the first time he was name-checked on this blog.
The members of Kajagoogoo realize they are grown-ups now, don't they? :-D
Thanks for that. One of those bands I occasionally wonder where they went.
George Clinton appeared on Thomas Dolby's "Aliens Ate My Buick." On the downside of Dolby's popularity and mostly forgotten, I consider it one of the best albums from the 80s.
Mark King from Level 42 should have been the first on eeaster's list.
Now go wrap your thumb in duct tape as punishment!
Just too bad he was playing in Level 42.LOL
Bootsy on Saturday! :)
Bootsy on Saturday! :)
For real? I thought he was cancelling dates.
And SURPRISE Bootsy just finally cancelled Toronto.
Thanks for the Jinx David!LOL
My Post on Soulful Detroit:
You know,I am not so much upset that I now have to join my disappointed friends in the States,but I am annoyed that they waited so long to axe the Toronto show.
I understand some of the possible behind the scene reasons(ticket sales?),but it irks me that they kept us hanging with only 3 days notice.
I had to make some sacrifices to be able to get to Toronto and now may as well just go up anyways as it will cost me the same.
The fact that the Toronto date stayed up on ALL the listings,long after(until today) the canceled US dates,gave me good cause to go against my better judgement and think it would really happen.
Now,if ticket sales were the problem,I have a (Pinocchio)theory.
From a promotional stand point,having a show with Bootsy Collins as the Headliner,but making a point of saying that he will not be doing/playing what people want to see and hear,is a large error.
I knew what show I was going to,but many only know and "respect" Bootsy for his post James Brown persona and playing.
I'll live,but Mr.Collins has now snubbed Toronto a couple of times in recent memory and may just save the time and money next time(?).
But he has snubbed a lot of people and still was snobbin' & schmoozin' it up at The Kentucky Derby.
Less Bootsy sayin',more Bootsy playing!
BOO-tsy!
Ah,who am I kidding,I'll still buy tickets next time.As a rule,anything "P" or J.B. without G.C.,is for me!
^ I feel yer pain. I don't go to a lot of shows, but I made a point of seeing Bootsy at the House of Blues in Hollywood back in the '90s. Guess what celebrity I saw in the crowd? Jeremy Piven.
I guess he got turned on while making "P.C.U."
Anyways, if you haven't seen Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors... that's one to travel for.
Woo'ed it up with Bernie & Laswell @ Tobacco Road in NYC a few years back.
Can't wait for the new album. I'm hoping the new EPs will be available online.
Post a Comment