Review - The Bongolian 'A psychedelic trip to Outer Bongolia'

Okay. Who is this then? The Bongolian. Cool. Maybe it's gonna sound like The Incredible Bongo Band. I like them. Now, let's see. It's on Blow Up! records. They've done some good bits in the past... and it's an iconic sixties flick. What's the track listing look like?

Talking Synth... could be like Billy Preston space funk. I dig that. Oh, what's this? Holly Golightly sings on a track. She's ace! She was in Thee Headcoatees and now does hip rock 'n' roll. Oh, I can't see any reason why I won't like this album at all. It's even got the word psychedelic in the title! The LP cover looks pretty good too. What can go wrong?

Sadly, this LP just doesn't cut it. It lies somewhere between 90s indie/dance crossover stuff and... uh... well, a buncha bongos. In amongst all the deftly played keys is a sound that can only be described as Skint records circa '97. Y'know what I mean? It's got a sniff of the sixties about it... but no more than say, Jive Bunny. It's cartoony. It's clearly fun... but it lacks soul. If you can remember Bentley Rhythm Ace and Indian Ropeman, this album sounds like those artists.

Don't get me wrong, this LP isn't terrible... it has a couple of moments that shine. Sadly, it's never for a full song. The intro to Rock Me is grimy, tough... even funky... but then it falls away into cartoon hammond music that would befit an Austin Powers film rather than a sweaty night club full of people digging Brian Auger or something.

It's tricky reviewing this because I'm not in the mood for being nasty... but there really is very little to like about this album if you're after something authentic. If you like hammondy things with breakbeats underneath, you'll adore this album. Hell, if you like Fatboy Slim and things like that, you'll find a lot to hop around the bedroom too. However, if those don't float your boat, steer well clear of this. I'm always really wary of being too soft on an LP in review... just in case you go and spend your money. I don't want you feeling ripped off by a passive critique by me. No. I owe it to you, dear reader, to tell you that you really wouldn't like this LP if you spent money on it. This is an album that proudly boasts 'Please note this album contains no samples!'... sad thing is, it doesn't contain much else really.

Click here to hear The Bongolian... just in case you don't believe me.