This week's disco CDs reviewed
PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND
Phenomenal Handclap Band Tummy Touch***
Let's call it the Cansei de Ser Sexy effect. This arises when a band have one tune that stands far above everything else they've produced – or, worse, are ever likely to produce. In the case of this nine-strong New York hipster combo, their Let's Make Love . . .is 15 to 20, a marvellous block-rocking thriller with the kind of funky, soulful swagger that is possibly illegal in some small countries. Unfortunately, little else on the album hits the target with as much panache or impact. The bandmates do know their chops (members have worked with TV on the Radio, Jon Spencer, Mooney Suzuki and others) but they are apparently content to use these skills polishing moody disco soundscapes and slick, slo-mo funk grooves than actually coming up with any more killer tunes. Still, there's always next time. www.my space.com/phenomenalhandclap
Download track: 15 to 20