Yes, it’s true. Guilty as charged! I am what is commonly referred to as a HOARDER! I hoard things. I collect things. And the lesson I force-feed my children has always been – DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! When the Coronavirus curtailed my freedom of movement, I decided to explore my cellars and lofts. That is where I found thousands of my cassettes that have followed me on every journey I have ever made (and that’s a whole lot of mileage). They were just sitting there, still looking good, just waiting to be cared for again! Since the dreaded pandemic had made me a prisoner in my own home, I decided to use the time to listen to each and every cassette! That became my MISSION IMPOSSIBLY POSSIBLE! Thus was born ONCE UPON A CASSETTE, a collection of ditties and Darnellian witticisms never heard before. I now present you with The Volumes. I hope my attention span allows me to create at least one hundred more! In fact we are attempting to release one volume a month until we’re over and done. And then in time for Christmas, we shall be offering a number of volumes available for purchase in tangible form. Pow to the Nth degree, guys and dolls!
Hey, remember the Wizard who said, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”? Well, here’s my take on that: Always ignore that demand, from Wizards and Fools. Peel back all curtains. Be entertained. Be shocked. Be transformed. Be embarrassed. I dare you. In fact, I double-dare you!
‘Bogotà Affair‘ was the third single to be released from the Off the Coast of Me 40th Anniversary Edition album. ‘Calypso Pan American‘ is the latest release from the same album. Out on October 28th. The first single released off the album was ‘Mister Softee’, and the follow up single, released on July 10th, was the title track ‘Off The Coast Of Me’. Visit our label to stream, download and watch the videos.
Off The Coast Of Me (40th Anniversary Edition) OUT NOW
DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Album OUT NOW
Stream on Spotify
Buy on iTunes
Stream on YouTube
Off The Coast Of Me was Kid Creole and the Coconuts’ first album release in 1980 on ZE Records. The Kid and Coati Mundi together decided to celebrate this debut album by releasing a 40th Anniversary Edition.
It, of course, has all the tracks from the original version (re-mastered) but you will also enjoy some very special never-before-released original demos, plus some cool upbeat Bootlegs by the Kid’s son, artist Youngr. But it also includes some recent singles from the band that you may have missed the first time round: Do Yourself a Favor, Checkin’ My Colonies, You Don’t Know Me and In a Place Like This.
Off The Coast Of Me was Kid Creole and the Coconuts’ first album release in 1980 on ZE Records. The album consisted of 8 songs: Side One: Mister Softee, Maladie d’Amour, Yolanda, Off The Coast Of Me Side Two: Darrio, Lili Marlene, Bogota Affair, Calypso Pan American.
Maladie d’Amour was the only
single released from this album.
The album was then reissued in 2003 by Rainman Records. This version included all the original songs but also had 5 bonus tracks added by Universal Island Records: There But for the Grace of God Go I, He’s Not Such a Bad Guy After All, Darrio (12” B-side), Yolanda (12” Mix) and Maladie d’Amour (Mutant Disco Version).
Off The Coast Of Me received some fantastic reviews. Here’s what they
said the first time round:
Andre S. Grindle 5.0 out of 5 stars On The Coast Of A New Sound During the time I was first becoming aware of Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, One of the things I came to understand is that its band leader August Darnell eventually decided to shift the priorities towards actually having a trio of female backup vocalists rather than a female lead singer. The results were the Coconuts. And Darnell apparently re-christened himself Kid Creole. This 1980 album was discussed in the reading I was doing as being an important transitional album. All the same? Took awhile to locate it in a used vinyl bin. And today am very happy I did.
“Mister Softee” starts off the album with an upbeat pop/funk number led by tingly percussion and a low rhythm guitar. “Maladie D’Amour” is a finely orchestrated disco friendly mid tempo soul stomp-with some rhythm guitar and clavinet riffing on the refrains. “Yolanda” and “Darrio” are deeply grooving boogie numbers with some wonderfully processed bass/guitar on the former while the title song is a stripped down calypso with a distant,echoed vocal lead. “Lil Marlene” combines the boogie and calypso influences together while “Bogota Affair” has a strong salsa pop flavor. “Calypso Pan American” ends the album with a vibraphone charged boogie rhythm yet again.
One thing about this album I noticed immediately is that, for the most part it goes right for the jugular of the Afro-Latin, percussive pop/funk sound, with a harder rhythmic stomp than the more sweetly orchestrated music of Darnell’s original group. It was as I’d read a transitional album. There are some disco era elements of this album. But for the most part? This album has a more mic’d and raw production style than the extremely slick studio sound that it very easily could have very well with. In terms of the songwriting? It’s definitely leaning towards shorter pop structures as well. So it comes down to being an excellent introduction for them. ———————————————————- Robert Christgau wrote: Off the Coast of Me [Antilles, 1980] Reformed high school teacher August Darnell having split with black-sheep bro Stoney Browder, the music thins out–Dr. Buzzard’s progressive retro is hard to top, Darnell’s naturally sarcastic voice short on bottom. So the not exactly all-embracing “Calypso Pan-American” and “Off the Coast of Me” neither justify nor transcend their distanced tone (typically, the title tune affects a megaphone filter), while comedy numbers like “Bogota Affair” (the effete Creole as cuckold), “Mr. Softee” (the effete Creole as limp-dick), and “Darrio . . .” (the effete Creole as new-waver) are simple and strong. When clever means this clever, maybe we should settle. B+ ——————————————————————– CC.T said: Oh yeah the music. Shucks, it’s The Kid Guy’s a deity of a band leader. Lyrics with wit, eclectic Disco Caribbe sounds +, for the ear. Dance that defies gravity and showmanship par excellence for the eye. ZE stable studio wizard too. Ok maybe didn’t influence the music world nor broadway BUT didja ever see ’em live in person at a small venue ? Nuff sed! ————————————————————– John Verity wrote: A Zillion Stars, or more An absolutely, positively, totally, and completely great album, one of the best ever released. So smart, such musicianship, such sly lyrics, and what a beat. Listen once and you’ll be hooked, and dancing for the rest of time. No kidding. I ain’t exaggerating. If you disagree, your money back. “Off the Coast of Me” is one of the most delicious and sexy songs you’ll ever hear. It will make you wet, with perspiration. ————————————————————-
This now brings us to 2020, where the Kid and Coati Mundi together decided to celebrate this debut album by releasing a 40th Anniversary Edition.
To be released on 2C2C Musicto the U.S. market, the Kid’s very own record label, this version includes 17 tracks in total. It, of course, includes all the tracks from the original version but has some special never-before-released original demos, plus some cool upbeat Bootlegs by the Kid’s son, artist Youngr.
The first single released was ‘Mister Softee’, and the follow up single, due for release on July 10th, will be the title track ‘Off The Coast Of Me’.
Here’s the track list:
Mister Softee
Maladie d’Amour
Yolanda
Off the Coast of Me
Dario, Can You Get Me into Studio
54
Lili Marlene
Bogota Affair
Calypso Pan American
Adnaloy
He’s Not Such a Bad Guy After All
Off The Coast of Me (Youngr Bootleg)
Yolanda (Youngr Bootleg)
Dario, Can You Get Me Into Studio 54 (Youngr Bootleg)
Dedicated to Stony Browder
Jr., without whom this journey would never have even started
OFF
THE COAST OF ME – 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Produced by August Darnell, Coati Mundi and Adriana Kaegi for 2C2C Music
TRACK LISTING:
Mister Softee
Maladie D’amour
Yolanda
Off the Coast of Me
Dario, Can You Get Me into Studio
54
Lili Marlene
Bogota Affair
Calypso Pan American
Adnaloy
He’s Not Such a Bad Guy After All
Off The Coast of Me (Youngr Bootleg)
Yolanda (Youngr Bootleg)
Dario, Can You Get Me Into Studio 54 (Youngr Bootleg)
Bogota Affair (Youngr Bootleg)
Mister Softee (Live at the Rock Lounge 1981)
Off The Coast of Me (Original Demo)
Bogota Affair (Original Demo)
CREDITS: 1) Engineers: Bob Blank, Julian McBrowne, Lars Henrik Nissen, Dario Darnell 2) Studios: Blank Tapes, Chappell Studios, LN Sound, Llama Land Studios 3) Photography: John Rynski, Eva Tudor-Jones 4) Art Direction: Nadine Ballard
5) The Musicians: August
Darnell, Coati Mundi, Peter Schott, Winston Grennan, Marc Mazur, Stony Browder
Jr., Carol Colman, Andrew Lloyd, Freddie
Harris, Charlie
Lagond, Danny
Kahn, Sam Burtis, Jay
Stovall, Dario Darnell
6) The
Singers: August Darnell, Coati Mundi, Don Armando Bonilla, Adriana Kaegi, Lourdes
Cotto, Lori Eastside, Frank Passalacqua, Fonda
Rae, Brooksie Wells
SPECIAL THANKS:
Ron Rainey, the most honest MANAGER I have ever known Eva Tudor-Jones, my wife, who almost killed me by turning me into a Vegan (for 18 months) My 2020 Band: Dave Imby, Mike Gorman, Oroh Angiama, Mark Anthony Jones, Chris Storr, Barnaby Dickinson, Edgar Jones, Otto Williams, Tim Vine, Jamie McCredie, Lorne Ashley, George Hogg My 2020 Coconuts: Sarah McGrath, Roos Van Rossum, Charlotte De Graaf
Michael Zilkha, who believed in the TRIP long before the Banana Boat left the dock. Maripol, who insisted we be a part of the movie Downtown 81.
TESTIMONIALS:
Adriana: “I guess my greatest contribution to
the band, besides doing all the choreography and designing all the outfits and
providing a European flair to the backing vocals is… I refused to let August
call the band Kid Creole and the Cold Cuts! He thanks me to this day.”
Coati Mundi: “Dr.Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band got me on drugs and Kid Creole & The Coconuts got me off them”.
And a special thank you from Coati Mundi: Grande GRACIAS a mi hermana, Marina y especialmente mis padres, Cruz* y Flora*. Tu amor y apoyo me ha sostenido toda la vida. (*QEPD).
Why did I choose Mister Softeeto be the first single from the OFF THE COAST OF ME (40th Anniversary Edition) album?
Well, I didn’t. That album is chock-full of potential singles. So I went about it in a democratic way (for a change). I reached out to Coati Mundi and the original Coconuts (Adriana Kaegi, Cheryl Poirier and Roni Griffith) and we voted on it.
Mister Softee won by a landslide. I know why. The Coconuts adore the sentiment of the song – cutting the Kid down to size has always been their favorite preoccupation. Hope you enjoy it as much as THEY do. Hachachacha! August Darnell
Mister Softee is the first single release from Off The Coast of Me: 40th Anniversary Edition. The album is set for release on June 11th, with the single being released on April 30th.
The single and the album will be available on 2C2C Music label.
This photo of Coconuts Cheryl Poirier, Roni Griffith and Adriana Kaegi was taken backstage before a show in Florida in October, 1980. The band had launched in January and after numerous raucous New York club dates and some solo northeast gigs, Kid Creole opened for the Talking Heads and then the B-52’s on a brief tour heading down the coast to Florida. The wild crowd response at each of these shows for a wholly unknown opening act was thrilling and told us definitively that this band could reach an audience further than east coast clubs. Coati Mundi shaved his head around this time and began wearing ever more surreal outfits on stage, just as other theatrical elements in the show started to expand. In shooting this photo, as I sometimes did, I turned the camera upside-down so that the flash would light the faces subtly from below, erasing shadows and enhancing the drama and sex appeal. The effect was particularly striking in this image which has long been a favorite of mine – and not only because two of the great loves of my life are in this photo.
– John Rynski, April 2020
MISTER SOFTEE LYRICS
(music and lyric: August Darnell)
You’re no good for
me!
I got a funny feelin’ baby that tonight you wanna sleep with me (don’t say it, you know you shouldn’t say it) But I got a ‘pointment in the mornin’, need at least eleven hours of sleep! (you said it, I asked you not to say it) I’m so sorry, babe
You’re a softee, by trade Mister Softee’s your name You’re a softee and hardly my type
Don’t say that, don’t say that! Don’t you make an issue over somethin’ that’s as small as this I’ll make it up to you tomorrow evenin’ babe if you insist Oh
You’re a softee, by trade Who you talkin’ to? Mister Softee’s your name You’re a softee and hardly my type Don’t say that, don’t say that
I’ve had enough in my life of sweet and sour goodnights I know you can’t satisfy but at least you could try You’re no good for me
Would you rather I forget about my livelihood and stay at home? (don’t say it, you know you shouldn’t say it) Well then you must give up your credit cards, must give up your Maud Frizons (you said it, I asked you not to say it) I’m so sorry, babe
You’re a softee, by trade Who you talkin’ to? Mister Softee’s your name There’s no sense squawkin’ ’bout it You’re a softee and hardly my type Don’t say that, don’t say that
I’ve had enough in my life of sweet and sour goodnight I know you can’t satisfy but at least you could try You’re no good for me
You got a funny way of showin’ me that baby you’re in love with me (don’t say it, you know you shouldn’t say it) Just because I need a little rest, you wanna torture me (you said it, I asked you not to say it)
You’re a softee, by trade Mister Softee’s your name You’re a softee, by trade Mister Softee’s your name
You’re the softee, my friend You’re soft in your head Softee my friend Soft in the head
You’re a softee, by trade Who you talkin’ to? Mister Softee’s your name There’s no sense squawkin’ ’bout it You’re a softee, by trade Don’t say that Mister Softee’s your name Don’t say that You’re the softee, my friend You’re soft, soft in the head You’re a softee, I’m sure Soft to the core
You’re a softee, by trade Who you talkin’ to? Mister Softee’s your name You’re a softee and hardly my type Don’t say that, don’t say that
Live in Paris CD – Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Recorded at Le Zenith, Paris, September 10th, 1985.
At the zenith of their career, with the complete original line up of Creoleans, Kid Creole & The Coconuts take the stage in Paris to perform and record one of the hot and unforgettable shows that made them famous. The band loved Europe and Europe loved them right back. You can hear it in the applause and the rebounding energy from the stage. In fact, the band is so tight that they never stop playing and we are pretty sure that the audience never stopped dancing (or smiling). The last beat of every song is also the first beat of the next song and this party is a festive and wild ride. Grab a piece of dance floor and hang on!
The line up: August Darnell, Andy “Coati Mundi” Hernandez, Adriana Kaegi, Cheryl Poirier, Janique Svedberg, Carol Colman (Bass), Peter Schott (Keyboards), Dave Span (Drums), “Bongo” Eddie Folk (Percussion), Jimmi Rippetoe (Guitar), Kenny Fradley (Trumpet), Lee Robertson (Trombone), Charlie Lagond (Saxophone).
The track list: Don’t Take My Coconuts My Male Curiosity
Table Manners
Mr. SoftieAnnie, I’m Not Your Daddy I’m a Wonderful Thing, Baby No Fish Today
Dear Addy
Stool Pigeon
Say Hey
The Lifeboat Party
Endicott
Indiscreet
Caroline Was A Dropout
Live in Paris CD – Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Recorded at Le Zenith, Paris, September 10th, 1985.
At the zenith of their career, with the complete original line up of Creoleans, Kid Creole & The Coconuts take the stage in Paris to perform and record one of the hot and unforgettable shows that made them famous. The band loved Europe and Europe loved them right back. You can hear it in the applause and the rebounding energy from the stage. In fact, the band is so tight that they never stop playing and we are pretty sure that the audience never stopped dancing (or smiling). The last beat of every song is also the first beat of the next song and this party is a festive and wild ride. Grab a piece of dance floor and hang on!
The line up: August Darnell, Andy “Coati Mundi” Hernandez, Adriana Kaegi, Cheryl Poirier, Janique Svedberg, Carol Colman (Bass), Peter Schott (Keyboards), Dave Span (Drums), “Bongo” Eddie Folk (Percussion), Jimmi Rippetoe (Guitar), Kenny Fradley (Trumpet), Lee Robertson (Trombone), Charlie Lagond (Saxophone).
The track list: Don’t Take My Coconuts My Male Curiosity
Table Manners
Mr. SoftieAnnie, I’m Not Your Daddy I’m a Wonderful Thing, Baby No Fish Today
Dear Addy
Stool Pigeon
Say Hey
The Lifeboat Party
Endicott
Indiscreet
Caroline Was A Dropout
Tchengiz is buzzing about the release of his debut single ‘Right Here’ OUT NOW!
Singer/songwriter Tchengiz, 24, from London, has always dreamed of becoming a successful recording artist. From the young age of 8 when his father bought him his first guitar, and he couldn’t put it down, he always knew music would play a huge part in his life. His vocal sound has been compared to Robin Thicke and he is heavily influenced by Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake. He has been playing venues around London for the last few years, with his biggest accomplishment to date playing alongside an array of big name artists for a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.
Written and produced by Tchengiz himself, the single ‘Right Here’ was mixed by Executive Producer August Darnell of Kid Creole and the Coconuts fame. Darnell, along with his partner Eva Tudor-Jones and Peter Schott (both from the Creolian family) are the co-founders of the indie label 2C2C Music to which Tchengiz is signed. With all their years of experience in the music business and the fresh new talents of Tchengiz, this is sure to be a winning formula.
Along with the single comes a fabulous and cool introductory music video shot by Zoey Henderson in trendy Copenhagen where the single was mixed by engineer Lars Nissen at Moremax Studios. The video was cut and edited by Lewis Knaggs of LSK Films.
‘Right Here’ is available NOW at all major outlets including iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify, you will also find the video on Tchengiz’s YouTube channel.
Tchengiz is eagerly anticipating the release of his debut single ‘Right Here’ on September 21st.
Singer/songwriter Tchengiz, 23, from London, has always dreamed of becoming a successful recording artist. From the young age of 8 when his father bought him his first guitar, and he couldn’t put it down, he always knew music would play a huge part in his life. His vocal sound has been compared to Robin Thicke and he is heavily influenced by Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake. He has been playing venues around London for the last few years, with his biggest accomplishment to date playing alongside an array of big name artists for a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.
Written and produced by Tchengiz himself, the single ‘Right Here’ was mixed by Executive Producer August Darnell of Kid Creole and the Coconuts fame. Darnell, along with his partner Eva Tudor-Jones and Peter Schott (both from the Creolian family) are the co-founders of the indie label 2C2C Music to which Tchengiz is signed. With all their years of experience in the music business and the fresh new talents of Tchengiz, this is sure to be a winning formula.
Along with the single comes a fabulous and cool introductory music video shot by Zoey Henderson in trendy Copenhagen where the single was mixed by engineer Lars Nissen at Moremax Studios. The video was cut and edited by Lewis Knaggs of LSK Films.
‘Right Here’ will be available for Pre-Order on iTunes from September 14th with a worldwide release on September 21st. Available on all major outlets including Apple Music and Spotify, you will also find the video on Tchengiz’s Vevo channel and of course his YouTube channel.
ANNOUNCING the fantastic lineup for this year’s BBC Radio 2’s ALL STAR PARTY! To be held at Bridlington Spa on September 29th 2018.
The lineup includes: Clean Bandit, Incognito, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Lemar, The Fantasy Funk Band with special vocalists: Gabrielle, Jaki Graham and John Turrell.
With BBC Radio 2’s very own Craig Charles, Trevor Nelson and Ana Matronic hosting this fun event.
What’s not to love!
It will be a big live event in front of over 5000 guests plus it will be recorded live for Radio 2!
ANNOUNCING the fantastic lineup for this year’s BBC Radio 2’s ALL STAR PARTY! To be held at Bridlington Spa on September 29th 2018.
You must be logged in to post a comment.