Another band I missed first time round as I was in full on house and techno mode in 1991 when Quality Street, the band’s only album, was first released. This re-release on the 3 Loop Music label is a two CD package with the original album, a CD of selected B sides and two Radio 1 sessions plus a 24 page booklet.

World of Twist were seemingly a great influence on a lot of bands and Noel Gallagher apparently almost named Oasis after the second track on the album, “Sons of the Stage” and Liam Gallagher’s band Beady Eye even covered the track.

First of I should say that even on the first listen through I really enjoyed this record – it’s a space-indie-pop amalgamation – sort of Roxy Music meets Madchester –  with this being most evident on the track that should have been a huge single, Sons of the Stage (which sounds very reminiscent of Hawkwind’s Brainbox Pollution).

I’m very surprised that Quality Street didn’t get higher than it did (#50) in the UK charts. The songs are nicely crafted indie pop tunes with sound effects and synth warbles over the top and in the background and it really is a very enjoyable listen indeed.

Stand out tracks are Sons of the Stage, The Storm, the dreamy final track Life and Death and the blessed out version of the Stones “She’s A Rainbow. I can see this album getting played to death in the coming months in our house.

Sadly the second CD in the pack refused to play on my CD player or in the laptop so I can’t comment on that, but the booklet is an interesting read with an engaging foreword by the bands guitarist and co-songwriter Gordon King.

Stuart Smith

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