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On the label that is so hot at the moment (think Dennis Coffey, Ebo Taylor, Fania Records to name just three), here’s a little reminder that one of the hotest guys on the edits for a while now, Leo Zero released a compilation called Disconnect from Strut a little while back.

Now you know that if a band calls themselves Desmond and the Tutu that they don’t take themselves too seriously and the opener, ‘Kiss Up On The Cheek’ is a bit of light hearted indie Kwela-pop’n’roll that actually festers in your brain until you grow to love it. So an interesting start for sure.

And then there’s the post-punk ‘comedy’ of The Piranhas, the post X-Ray Spex of Essential Logic and even some Basement 5 as silicon fish and chip whimsy (a previously unreleased extended edit from the original tapes). This is all sounding a bit Bustin’ Out I know but to say this guy has a large range is a bit of an understatement.

Kabbala’s ‘Ashewo Ara’ is always a bit of a classic (well it was a bit 12” in back in ‘82 in E17) and the whole set keeps swinging along with some Chris & Cosey, James Pants’ favourites Can and comes to a cerebral finish with Brian Eno & John Cale.

Regular readers would probably prefer more of the Afro-funk-jazz inspired The Unknown Cases or ‘Zimba’ but as Zero’s brief was to explore the darker side of this collection for rarities, secret weapons and unheralded dancefloor winners, I think we can say Leo Elstob has done a mighty fine job; although, the exception for me would be Wunmi’s version of ‘Message In A Bottle’ as a bit of a odd blip in her career (see interview HERE) and is a guilty pleasure here.

Leo’s edits have turned up on Strut’s Zevolution compilation and on Paul Weller’s special edition of Wake Up The Nation (‘No Tears To Cry’) just to mention the two and continues to rock the dancefloor after 15 years as a leader in the DJ booth.

Don’t forget tonight he’s at the Golden Sun Movement present ON After Party (see below for further details) but album is a good alternative if you can’t see him live.

Reviewed: V/A - Disconnect: Leo Zero (Strut) Cat. No: STRUT065CD/LP Format: 1xCD (mixed) / 2xLP (unmixed) / digital (unmixed) Release date: 6th December 2010
Tracklisting:
1. Desmond & The Tutus - Kiss You On The Cheek
2. Ritual - Sore Lip
3. Kabbala - Ashewo Ara
4. The Prianhas - Vi Gela Gela
5. Essential Logic - Brute Fury
6. Basement 5 - Silicon Chip (Extended Edit)
7. The Dread Flimstone Sound - Ghetto Life
8. Wunmi - Message In A Bottle
9. Chris & Cosey - Exotica (1988 Remix)
10. Propaganda - Frozen Faces (12” Mix)
11. Indambinigi - Zimba
12. The Unknown Cases - Masimba Bele
13. George G - Hot Lovers
14. Can - Halleluwah
15. Richy B Melodia - Keep It Moving On
16. Brian Eno & John Cale - Sprinning Away
17. The Countach - My Oasis
18. Traks - Wild Safari (Digital Only)

Links:
www.strut-records.com www.leozero-disconnect.comwww.myspace.com/leotrax
www.soundcloud.com/leo-zero
‘ON’ Acid House Art & Twenty First Century Psychedelia - And exhibition by Luke Insect , Leo Zero and Dave Little: Idea Generation Gallery, 11 Chance Street, London E2 7JB http://gallery.ideageneration.co.uk
Monday to Friday: 10 - 6pm - Saturday & Sunday: 12 - 5pm
Admission Free
Easter Opening Hours
Good Friday: 12-5pm, Easter Saturday 12-8pm (Special Late Night Opening)
CLOSED: Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Royal Wedding, May Day Bank Holiday
After party @ The Book Club: 9pm - 3am 100-106 Leonard Street
City of London, Greater London EC2A 4XS
020 7684 8618