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Single/Download Review
A.J. Holmes and the Hackney Empire Martyn’s Elephant Charm/ Ghost Daddy Singing Dune records, download only
Article written by
Ged M - Jun 4, 2015
This is a double A-side, paving the way for their second album Soft Power. ‘Martyn’s Elephant Charm’ recites words of superstitious London wisdom to West African highlife rhythms, sounding like Malcolm McLaren playing with Victor Olaiya – so unusual a combination that it might capture the popular imagination in the way that ‘Double Dutch’ did. The other track, ‘Ghost Daddy’ is a dark and haunting tale of London estate life, with African-derived rhythms embedded in a densely woven tune. This is the sort of tune that, given a break, can break big.