During the 80s, Kid Creole was the zoot-suited Tropical Gangster, a Latino Cab Calloway mixing pop, p-funk, big band swing and Latin rhythms for a series of global chart smashes, from Stool Pidgeon and Annie, Im Not Your Daddy to Endicott.
Under his real name, August Darnell, Kid Creole had developed his feel for unusual music fusions and intelligent, acerbic life stories since 1974 through a series of projects as a prolific writer, musician and producer. Starting as a key member of Dr. Buzzards Savannah Band alongside his brother, Stony Browder Jr. in 1974, Darnell then masterminded Machines disco anthem There But For The Grace Of God before becoming the in-house producer for Ze Records in New York. There, he helped fashion the grungy Ze sound through Cristinas trash disco debut album and groundbreaking genre-bending work for Aural Exciters, James Chance and more.
Taking the name from the Elvis Presley film, Darnell created Kid Creole in 1980 and alongside his three female singers, The Coconuts, led by his Wife Addy, and a band including Dr. Buzzards Coati Mundi, he began honing his alter ego. With todays DJs consistently championing Darnells early work, this exclusive Strut release covers 1974 to 1983 and features rare extended versions and album tracks released on CD for the first time. Compilation by DJ Guido of Paris DJs with extended sleeve notes by legendary New York journalist Vivien Goldman.1. Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band Sunshower
2. Don Armandos Second Avenue Rumba Band Goin To A Showdown
3. Kid Creole & The Coconuts Going Places (Zemix version)
4. Cristina Is That All There Is?
5. Gichy Dans Beachwood No. 9 On A Day Like Today
6. Machine There But For The Grace Of God Go I (LP version)
7. Don Armandos Second Avenue Rumba Band - Im An Indian Too (12 version)
8. Aural Exciters Marathon Runner
9. Coati Mundi Pharaoh (Cant Take It To The Grave)
10. Aural Exciters Emile (Night Rate)
11. Kid Creole Hes Not Such A Bad Guy After All (12 version)
12. Ron Rogers Dont Play With My Emotions
13. Kid Creole & The Coconuts Double On Back
14. Aural Exciters Paradise
15. Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Off The Coast Of Me
- August Darnell has been a cult favourite with many different DJs over the
last 10 years from leading names in disco (Danny Krivit, Muro, Dimitri, the
D.I.R.T.Y. crew) to DJs as diverse as Prins Thomas, Trevor Jackson and
Derrick Carter.
- The album highlights Darnell's status as a seminal producer during his early years, his unique fusions and lyrics, not the more kitsch 'tropical gangster' image of the mid '80s. He is responsible for a number of anthems for underground clubs worldwide, particularly Machine's 'There But For The Grace Of God' and his work with Dr. Buzzard.
- Sleeve notes on the album will come courtesy of Vivien Goldman, one of the most acclaimed journalists writing around early '80s New York culture. - Darnell will be actively involved in promoting the album and is fully available for any phone or e-mail interviews + some in-person slots where possible. - Live, world-wide dates are planned throughout the year. More info to be announced. Kid Creole