Monday, July 27, 2009

Loft Classics No. 1 - "Curfew" by Drive


I'd like to introduce a new feature to The 'Spill!

"Loft Classics"

It's a really poor play-on-words, and it's because I'm attempting to make sense of all the guff in my loft (so I can add to the guff with more guff). 

I'm sure 'Spillers can relate; I find it impossible to throw away music. This has led to an amalgamation of second tier CDs accumulating in the eves. 
The second tier includes a lot of CD singles, CDs that came free with magazines, and stuff that I wasn't really that into (but still liked) when I last moved house 3 years ago. 

So, whilst in the loft today, I put my hand into a dusty box and randomly pulled out the CD single "Curfew" by the group Drive. 

Released on Ninja Tune in 1993 (it didn't bother the charts), and featuring a future All Saint (Mel Blatt) sharing vocals with a certain Julienne Davis (acted in Eyes Wide Shut, according to Wikipedia). 

The song itself, has a jaunty atypically early 90s drum loop (think MARRS) and some sweet non-warbly pop girl vocals mixed in with some bluesy/funky slide guitar. 

For the life of me the vocal melody and lyrics seem like they're from an old 60s US pop tune, but I can't place it. It seems too good and accurate to be a spoof/tribute. 

The film sample sounds to my ears like Nick Cage, perhaps from Wild At Heart? 

Anyways, this is a stone cold Loft Classic - a great tune, obscure as anything, dusted off and brought back to life!!  If anyone has anymore information about the song, please leave it in the comments! 

Curfew by Drive

('Spillers, I'd like this to be a regular series, so on your marks, get set, LOFT IT!!) 


20 comments:

nilpferd said...

Actually, my Velvet Pants post from Saturday was my equivalent of a loft post.. except in my case, it was a "the box on the shelf above the bed" post.
We used to have loft space, but it was turned into a maisonette flat three years ago..
Can't help you with Curfew, but to my ears it doesn't sound "old". Ninja Tunes is keeping pretty quiet about the EP on its website, too.

GarethI said...

Discogs is listing it as 1993, on Ninja Tunes and Rough Trade. That guitar break is – ahem – reminiscent of Walk This Way. Which is a good thing.

tincanman said...

Great track! Loved the southern rock guitaring; like getting an unexpected birthday present after all the kids have gone.

Blimpy said...

Thanks for listening!

Luke-sensei said...

Great idea for a series Blimpy. Unfortunately most of my ...erm...forgotten CD's (and they ARE mostly CD singles) are back in Blighty, but I may be able to dig up a few things.

The track wasn't half-bad by the way, a wee bit dated, but surely that's the point!

tincanman said...

Bad luck to have them still in England Japanther. Joist When Your Needed Them Most too

Guess you're just a loft em and leave em kinda guy

That what you do Rafter the Loving Has Gone, huh big guy?

Luke-sensei said...

....better that than Atticted To Love....

nilpferd said...

Sorry, had to take the girls down to the post office.. I was going to take the opportunity to put in a good word for a builder mate of mine- John Coltrane- bit of an intense character, but I can guarantee he'll build you A Loft Supreme.

ToffeeBoy said...

aloft in the loft sat croft
he is soft

GarethI said...

i asked: is croft in lowestoft?
yes, he said. i doffed
my cap. and loft.
sorry, left.
ej thribb

DarceysDad said...

Yup, excellent idea for a series, I'm in.

Got a few CD single candidates in mind, but a LOT of vinyl 7" ones. I'm left staring at Gordon's Ion deck behind me again; really must plug it in this weekend.

TatankaYotanka said...

Nice one, I'm converted already ;)

Blimpy said...

tatanka = win.

Unknown said...

Hi, just read the comments on Drive's Curfew single. Great that you made the song available. I'd like to listen to it, but I don't seem to be able to... I appreciate any help. Best, Anna

Blmpy said...

Hi Anna

I'm on holiday just now but I'll try an relink the audio in a couple of days when I'm back

Cheers

Unknown said...

Thank you! Hope you're having a good holiday. Greetings, Anna

Unknown said...

Oh by the way, may I ask you something else related to this single release by Drive? Do you have its credits? If so, would you mind to check whether Woodie Taylor and Jay Strongman are listed as members of this short-lived band or rather as the producers of the single?

The reason why I ask is that I'm updating the biography of bands with the name Drive (I've identified 10 of them all over the world...) for last.fm and the information I've found thus far about Taylor and Strongman is contradictory (either band members or producers).

Thank you very much!
Best,
Anna

Blimpy said...

I'll check the sleeve, hold tight!!

Blimpy said...

sleeve says:

"1. curfew (rebel radio mix)
2. curfew (beatmasters 12" mix)
3. curfew (rebel funk mix)
4. curfew (beatmasters instrumental)

all tracks trad. arr. taylor

produced by jay strongman & woodie taylor

DRIVE are julienne davis, melanie guillane, woodie taylor & jay strongman"

I can email you the track if you contact me via the sidebar email address.

Unknown said...

Hey Blimpy, thank you soooo much! This is really valuable information for me.

Kindly,
Anna