Tropical Brainstorm - Kirsty MacColl

Kirsty MacColl was a truly unique, talented, musician who will be sorely missed. Strangely, not an awful lot of people have even heard of her though. Although if you mention her chart hits such as ’There’s a Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Who Thinks He’s Elvis’ or ’Fairytale of New York’ (with the Pogues) you are likely to get an “Oh yes, I know who you mean”. However the career of Kirsty MacColl has been one of highs, and many lows, and which was tragically, prematurely ended when she was killed in a boat accident in the late part of last year. I must admit I cried when I head the news. What a waste of pure, unique talent. ...  Read the complete review

The charts have been awash with the influence of Latin music, but this isn't just another of those jump-on-the-bandwagon cash-in records. Tropical brainstorm" (don't you just love that title?) was just the latest product of Kirtsy MacColl's love affair with Cuban music, which began around 10 years earlier. For this album, she spent much time over in South America, playing with musicians over there, immersing herself in the music and rhythms. And it shows. The tunes are the kind that you can imagine dancing a mambo or a cha-cha to - or at the very least you can picture yourself drinking a cocktail while watching others dance to them! There's still plenty of the ...  Read the complete review

At last Kirsty McColl seems to be in style - her latest CD is an excellent accompaniment to your summer holiday, full of catchy tunes, with a Cuban influences. This is no hop-on-the-bandwagon ploy - she has been experimenting with such music for a long time, (indeed, "Electric Brainstorm" carries on where 1991's "My affair" left off) and has actually been in South America playing with the 'genuine' musicians. As always with Kirsty, you get more than just the swinging music. There is usually a good old tale in there too, sometimes with a tinge of revenge, sexiness, wittiness and a surprise or two. It's not entirely South ...  Read the complete review