Latin Quarter – Modern Times (Cherry Red)
CD/DL
Out Now
The Debut album from the folk/reggae/New Wave political activists is
re-promoted.
Latin Quarter were a group as much about their beliefs and political
standing as they were about their music, possibly more, to the extent that
whilst their records weren’t banned, they were often given limited
airplay. Radio Africa, their biggest hit
was generally only played at night in the UK – it still reached the Top 20.
Modern Times spawned five singles, each one of varying success, each
one with a message. Their brand of often
easy listening pop was made harder by the left-wing lyrics provided by Mike
Jones and the use of three lead singers gave options to the group if not also
to serve as a distraction to any identity that they sought to achieve.
Listening to the album again almost thirty years later it’s
interesting to see how things have changed and how others have stood
still. Mandela was still imprisoned and racial
segregation was common in Africa, unrest in Russia, a World scared by the USA
and their actor President, and Britain under the wrath of a Tory
government. Musically, the songs are
very average now but at the time slotted into the music of the day with
ease. Lyrically, they bit. Bit away at every convention and every
covered-up, silenced topic of the day.
Whilst Radio Africa has been released several time since 1985, it’s the
final single from the album, America For Beginners that stands head and shoulders
above all else. Its crash course on the
‘land of the free’ is scathing and doesn’t hold back anywhere. Even now, though some of the words are
(obviously) dated, the backing is superbly haunting. Toulouse sees Latin Quarter prove that they
weren’t just slow, balladeers with a fast paced presentation and album closer
Cora is simply marvelous.
As a live act they were tight and slick. My front row view of them in Manchester in
1986 is particular memorable due to my then crush on vocalist and pianist Yona
Dunsford rather than the seemingly emotionless favoured led singer Steve
Skaith. A live version of This Side Of Midnight is included in the five additional
tracks which proves their live credentials in a ska style.
With added b-sides Thin White Duke, Sandinista and Voices Inside is
the 12” version of the title track which to be honest, would have been better
left in the 80s.
A classic album? Maybe not,
but as Latin Quarter release new album, Tilt, it’s a reminder of a group that weren’t
afraid to say what they thought and make some rather good tunes along the way.
8/10
Published on Louder Than War 25/04/14 - here
No comments:
Post a Comment