Of Beaumont, Parasol's March 31 update says "New project from Blueboy's Paul Stewart & Keith Girdler! Great stuff for the hidden sophisticate within - lush, suave & Blueboy-ish pop!!!" Siesta says"Once instigators of Blueboy and Arabesque, Paul Stewart & Keith Girdler return with a concept record that sparkles with higher levels of wit, sophistication and polish of the best of their former bands. This admirable record is the fruit of irony, jazz, Italian films, The Last of England, schoolgirls, frivolites, London poetry, latin misery, exotic tourism and exhilaration of youth. Superb, unusual, outstanding are adjectives too often used, however, as one listens to the swinging cuts from this album all of these immediately come to mind. Now is the time, this is the place. this is Beaumont". Now from someone not on the payroll I can say that I am really enjoying this CD and that is my favorite item being added this week.

The fifth Clientele related single. First was the "What Goes Up" 7" on their own Pointy Records. Next came "All The Dust And Glass" on Johnny Kane Records. Next was a 7" by the Relict, which is a close friend of The Clientele backed by The Clientele themselves, on Johnny Kane Records. "Lacewings" was the next Clientele 7", released on Japan's Motorways Records. That brings us to this single. As usual with Elefant releases, the sleeve has nice 60's styled art and the vinyl is color coordinated, in this case a bright greenish-yellow that complements the background color on both sides of the sleeve. The music within is soft and wistful. They were initially always compared to Belle & Sebastian, though they now are recognized by the strength of their own vision and sound. This London band is right now at the very top of the underground, without even having an LP released.

32 song German compilation of 50's "stranded in the jungle" type themed songs, with a feel like classic songs such as 'Tequila' or 'Night Train', frequently with saxophone dressing or a reverbed guitar. This is the same label that put out the Las Vegas Grind (Parts 1, 2, & 3) compilations. As the disclaimer states, "Note: This is primitive, raw Rn'R! As the mastertapes have vanished, these CD's are re-mastered from the cleanest available copies. Some surface noise does turn up- but, baby, that is R&R". Some really neat songs within. I love Tarantula Ghoul & The Gravediggers "King Kong" with it's kitschy theme, female vocals, and sounds, but many of the instrumentals are a kick as long as you're not scared away by the saxophone, which appears on many of the tracks. Probably my favorite track is "Kana Kapila" by The Continental Cousins. Energy is in overdrive, and fun is saturated in the track.

Going from Jungle Exotica to this CD is some change. Jungle Exotica was fun music from simpler times. La Buena Vida play music touched by the blessing/curse of love, couched in the complex tones of classic New Order (that bass) crossed with new breed Siesta continental breeziness, in a world ready to recognize the coolness of such square folk as Louise Phillip, and the squareness of such hipsters as Bertand Burgalat. La Buena Vida have out several other albums. This newest CD has them at full command of their craft, comfortable and confident, male and female vocals singing entirely in their native Spanish. The Indiepop list had voted La Buena Vida the best band several years ago, but they have evolved past their indiepop beginnings into the Roxy Music of Siesta Records

Second record by this collaboration between Don Craine and Kieth Grant Evans of the Downliner Sect, and Thee Headcoats. The Downliner Sect wore deerstalker hats in 1964 at their shows and on their sleeves. Billy Childish forever immortalized deerstalkers in Thee Headcoats and Thee Headcoatees, and has released literally hundreds of records under multiple guises in his over 20 year career, tons of paintings and other art, as well as several books, both stories and poetry. The 12 songs on this LP are from the same well produced ToeRag sessions as those which came out on the 1996 "Deerstalking Men" LP, also released by Vinyl Japan. Many of the songs are Rn'B stompers with harmonica and Don Craine vocals, but some are top quality rockers with that early Kinks "You've Really Got Me" guitar sound, most notably the first song "Ain't That Just Like Me", which is crackers!

All girl quartet from Murcia Spain playing music like a cross between early Pandoras and France Gall. In fact "Besame Tonto" is a cover of the France Gall song "Ne Sois Pas Si Bete" which introduces guitars into that wonderful song. All 4 songs on this EP are very pleasing, and rock like heck.