ALBUMS: Kid Creole: ‘In Praise of Older Women (1980);’ Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band’Meets King Penett.
MCV Rating: KC: 4.0/$$; Dr. B: 4.0/$$
And now for something completely different. Swing influenced disco jazz.
Stony Browder and Thomas Browder AKA August Darnell, started Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah band in 1974 and it sounded far different from anything on the radio at the time.
Buzzard was more swing-y old timey whereas Kid Creole and the Coconuts was more jump jazzy and funky.
Taking a break from my Kinks and Who and Stones, I really enjoyed the throwback exotica and tropicalia of these bands. August Darnell, whose parents were Italian and Caribbean, according to Wikipedia, had a Master’s degree in English and a way with words.
The fun dance songs were flirty with steamy romance. Either of these or anything by either of the groups would be a great bargain bin find. I’ll bet Prince had some Kid Creole in his collection.
If you’re looking for something different.