DISLOCATION DANCE Vinyl & CDs

Review: Dislocation Dance signed to the first DIY record label in Manchester - the Buzzcocks' New Hormones - before going on to Rough Trade but they never got the success they deserved and disbanded in 1986 until 2000. However, they did have a hit in the Netherlands with 'Rosemary' in 1982. Despite remaining relatively obscure to the mainstream, they've retained a cult following from fans who get that they're an overlooked gem. This latest album, which comes seven years after their previous release, is a varied one, teeming with vivacious tones. 'I Just Need A Friend' has a contemporary funk Louis Cole-esque feel to it. The trumpet playing on 'Sugar Coated' is recorded beautifully and 'To Love and Be Loved' evokes Pharrell. Elsewhere, 'We All Need Love' is a very pure indie folk number driven by Sam Heywood's stunning vocal and an acoustic guitar. There's real beauty to its simplicity and it makes for a great curtain closer.

Review: Dislocation Dance come straight out of the traps with the opener 'I Just Need A Friend'. It takes Parliament-esque funk into the 21st century and is an injection of sheer joy. Trumpeter Andy Diagram earns his keep with his stunning playing on 'Sugar Coated', while 'We All Need Love' and 'Really Should Know Better' transport you to sunny climes. 'Sugar Coated' sounds like Beirut thanks to the trumpet-tinged sparseness and tender, intimate vocal performance. And 'Can't Come Back' mixes jangle pop with electronica to great effect. It's truly great to see the return of Dislocation Dance as they have great credentials, having released some of their early material on Rough Trade and the first punk indie label, Buzzcocks' New Hormones.

Review: Continuing the label's special 7"s releases that capture the nascent 80s post punk, dub, funk and pop - as examined on releases by The Jellies, Woo, Phantom Band, 4AM and more - here a discovery of unheard demos from Dislocation Dance's Midnight Shift album.
As part of the eighties Manchester scene, the band's pop and jazz sensibilities have continued to garner attention, offering a rightful place in the city's rich music history.
With the closure of Richard Boon's New Hormones label in 1982, they came to the attention of Geoff Travis' Rough Trade. Creating a home studio in the basement of an old rambling farmhouse in Withington, Ian Runacres (guitar, vocals), with lyricist Paul Emmerson (bass), set to work creating demos to garner a deal.
Inspired by the funk-disco of Dr Buzzards Original Savannah Band debut album, Here Comes Love was written using Roland TR-606 drum machine, guitars, bass and (cheap) keyboard, its magical and lo-fi charmed quality melts hearts.
On Mr Zak, the fun Runacres had is evident. Written as an "indie" song, but with Aztec Camera and Burt Bacharrach on his mind, with Andy Diagram (trumpet) and Kathryn Way (vocals), hides a structure matching the album version, but which in its rudimentary instrumentation and production is unique and outshines the later version, to encase a specific period and innocence, of time.