Zoom & The Gadflies is the latest release by James Hughes performing as the James Clarke Five, he was originally in the Cherry Boys in the 1980's, this album is almost entirely a solo record apart from two brief guest appearances by Mac The Sax and Karen Bates.
The album opens with early single (Who's Been On) The Big Rock Candy asking questions such as you don't drink you don't smoke what do you do, but instead he asks whose on that stuff instead, as Antmusic percussion is used as solid bedrock for James to sing over, as he looks at how control is always a central issue.
Do You Not Think takes a fairground or barrelhouse organ for a Kinks infused tale of merriment and carnival goings on, with some slight Hans Eisler nods in a slightly Victoria Wood musical hall way.
Gadfly Groove is a more direct steal as the Bolan boogie, with layered strings added to create the Gadfly Groove, to move the children of the revolution once more, allowing Mac The Sax to add to the ecstasy on the dancefloor, with some percussive magic bringing it all together.
Ghost that has a real early 70's chamber pop feel, it's soulful, especially when the keyboard line that has a Fatback band feel impinges on the lush orchestration, while James wonders how he ended up with the Ghost of you, as James gives a sly nod towards the Style Council.
Pineapple Rock Has James meeting a woman down by the crossroads by the co-op, who rather than luring him to the Devil, makes him do the Pineapple Rock whose acoustic guitar riff holds it all down, as the electric goes Psychedelic, will he get down with it or not.
Manhattan Pigeon works around a cool piano line with some odd lyrics that have echoes of Steely Dan in places, that makes me a little wary of this tune, but that piano line makes up for it.
Hot Chicory Bop has a certain hint towards Chicory Tip as the keyboards get down and funky with it.
It's Been So Long is a sweet soul love song to woo your woman too, or at least beg her to come round for one more roll in the hay. The Brass section sounds super cool.
Zoomdust is obviously what James has snorted to get in the right frame of mind for this spacey disco thumper that wants to set your mind free.
Buddy And Joe like to sashay across the dancefloor throwing fabulous shapes and making everyone else jealous as this Philly soul style instrumental really gets them in the mood.
The album closes with Goodbye Patience a stomping indie pop groover that worries that no one has any patience in this me me me now now now society, while wishing he was still in MacArthur park.
Find out more at https://found.ee/ZATG-1 https://jamesclarkefive.bandcamp.com/album/zoom-and-the-gadflies https://www.facebook.com/JamesClarkeFive
