Some of music’s greatest (at least most influential) artists are those who refuse to box themselves in. They are bold, daring, unafraid and unconventional. Aug Darnell, perhaps better known as his zoot-suit-brandishing alter ego Kid Creole, is definitely an artist of such variety. A musician, singer, songwriter and producer, Aug, aside from work in his own bands, has produced for the likes of Machine, Ron Rogers and Aural Exciter’among others. This compilation gathers a selection of Darnell’s production work for other like minded (and other-minded) artists, with only three tunes by his famous Coconuts in the mix.

Opening with Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band’s “Sunshower,” Going Places does a great job of displaying the scope of Kid Creole’s sound. Funk, dance, disco, big band: it is the fusion of these things that define his music. Though the style of such recordings speak for themselves, perhaps the most enthralling about Mr. Darnell’s work is its pure creativity. Christina’s “Is That All There Is?” tells the tale of a young, pessimistic youth in the heart of New York. Hell, the song begins with the narrator watching her mother burn their house down! “There But For The Grace Of God Go I” by Machine is also a daring mixture: a tune as socially aware as it is dance floor friendly. Though hardcore fans of Kid Creole & The Coconuts might be yearning for more of their material’”Annie, I’m Not Your Daddy” would have been nice’Going Places is thorough in the exploration and display of an incredibly entertaining and innovative visionary.

RELATED POSTS:

No related posts.