The Best of 1980-83, DEV Records ***

Back in the day a far more photogenic version of Dr Feel-good roamed the land, playing gigs from Pontoon to Portrane, from Belturbet to Bellewstown. Influenced by such American blues acts as Robert Gordon and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Rhythm Kings were post-punk pub rockers with a lethal live- show line-up fronted by Rocky (aka Ferdia McAnna) and stoked to boiling point by musicians Martin Meagher, Richie Taylor and Eamon Murray. On record, it's safe to say the band rarely translated the sweat-soaked giddiness of the gigs, but there are, nonetheless, some r'n'b/pop gems dotted throughout this collection – notably the absurdist surf-pop of John Wayne and one of Irish rock's most undervalued singles, Baby Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing. rhythmkings.word press.com

Download:Goin' Steady, John Wayne, Baby Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing