Various Artists — England Swings – Lux and Ivy Dig That UK Sound

England Swings is the latest release in Righteous ongoing series of Lux and Ivy compilations. The series finds respected music journalist Dave Henderson crate-digging for 45’s, and as its title suggests there is very much of a UK focus to this release. The twenty-eight-track CD is another nicely varied & quirky selection of tunes from the ’50s and ’60s.

As with previous releases in this series, the CD comes presented in a see-through jewel case. This features just a fold four-page inlay- which takes in a write-up about the comp, its focus & general remising from Mr Henderson, which is dotted around by a selection of vinyl labels. With on the back page basic track listings- taking in artists, track titles, and year release.

We go from the roughly jiving rock ‘n’ roll of “Crave Up” by Adam Faith- with its detailing a nasty fight/punch-up lyrics. Onto bobbing bass line, simmering male backing vocals, taut horn embellishment and sassy lead female vocals of Lynn Cornell’s “Demon Lover. There’s the clip-clop galloping rhythm,  guitar twang ‘n’ spacy neck picks, and playful sound effects/rising sax wail of “Man In Space” by the Vigilantes.

Moving into the second half we have bounding bass, detailed tabla-weaved percussion, eastern flute mystery, and swooning horn tones of Reg Owen’s “Payroll”.  There’s Billy Boyle’s “My Baby’s Crazy ‘bout Elvis” with Elvis’s parodying backing vocals, darting keys, and double bass bob. Or the warbling female vocals meets silly voiced male vocals, and crashing ‘n’ clang sound effects of “My Septembers Love” by The Famous Eccles and Miss Freda Thing.

England Swings is another consistent addition to the Lux and Ivy series. With a good variety of types of tracks- blending together the memorable & hip shaking, with the bizarre and wacky….here’s very much look forward to the next in the series!.