Sam Issac / New Cassettes / Radio Luxembourg / Riff Raff / Riz MC Marrs Bar (Worcester)
Great to go along to the Marrs Bar in Worcester for the local leg of the BBC Introducing tour of the best five sets called up to play this year's Glastonbury and the BBC Electric Proms- including of course our own Sam Isaac...
We kicked off with the New Cassettes from Northampton - beat-boppers with a couple of decent foot-tappers in their armoury - liked their number 'Recover Retreat' - must check what it's about - I noted a big thumbs-up for this outfit from Chris of the Not Just Sauce listings site Very much a retro feel to the Aberystwythians (yeah I expect that's probably not correct) that are Radio Luxembourg - with their Bontempi organ and a quirky Coral/Syd Barrett feel to the opening couple of numbers. 'We're going to lose you now' said frontman Meilyr - probably spot on as the rest of the set was in Welsh. I got my Mum to translate a couple of days later and numbers such as 'Merch sydd yn fy Mhoced' (Girl in My Pocket) and 'Diwrnod efo'r Anifeiliaid' suddenly make sense. Nofio!!
Hiphoppers Riff Raff played their first ever gig at Glastonbury after only a couple of Radio One airplays. Great numbers including 'Chaos Isn't What It Used To Be' and 'I Want A Mutiny' were the highlights from the agreeable East Anglians who feature a cello and plenty of acoustic guitar work - try and think of The Anomalies crossed with the Zutons and Babyshambles.
Highlight for me on the night though was the sensational rapper that is Riz-MC - this guy pulls no punches with his numbers about 9/11, Belmarsh, Al-Jazeera and the danger faced by Brazilians - yes it's a very political output - but put out in a way that gets you smiling and thinking at the same time - check him out at myspace/rizmc for yourself.
Sam Issac has the ability seemingly get everywhere. Pick up a music magazine and his name is on the listings page somewhere. His belnd of Magic Numbers/Billy Bragg is a delight and no wonder local radio are waving the flags for him.
