Jellied Eels And Record Deals

Leyton Buzzards, “Jellied Eels And Record Deals” (Charisma, 1979);
Modern Romance, “The Platinum Collection” (Rhino 2006; original recordings 1980-86)
Even among all the multifarious wildness of the UK music scene between 1977 and 1983, this may be the strangest thing that happened. The Leyton Buzzards were first-wave Brit-punk, thuggish and rumbling, but with good melodic invention and a twisted sense of humor. Then they broke up, only to reappear a few years later as Modern Romance, the pioneers of Britain’s short-lived “neo-salsa” pop movement, sporting a horn section and vintage suits! Yet they were still as energetic and outlandishly entertaining as ever. Best of the Buzzards include “We Make a Noise,” “Disco Romeo,” “No Dry Ice and Flying Pigs.” Best of Modern Romance: 17, the immortal “Ay Ay Ay Moosey”; 18, “Bring On the Funkateers”; and 19, “Queen of the Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes The Way You Play)”, featuring some of the most preposterous rapping ever recorded.