1982 Singles # 22 Kid Creole & The Coconuts

 

I

I listened through to Tropical Gangsters in its entirity this morning. Not surprisingly it was a fun experience. I wasn't hugely into them at the time. Didn't actually buy the record until a few years later, but it was pretty much impossible to dislike the Kid, Coati and his Coconuts when you heard them on the radio or saw them on TV in 1982.

They were perfect for the Pop party that went on during that year. Virtually the only Americans to gatecrash and they were more than welcome. Coming in from the leftfield. Chic meets the movies. Forties and Fifties New York, Miami and Havana. Just a dash of Talking Heads. Full of pop nous, humour, funk and spark. They were embraced by the Smash Hits crowd, Radio One and Top of the Pops, never really hit the jackpot in the States, largely because they were too smart, but went down an absolute storm over in the UK and Eurupe.

I could have selected either of the albums other two singles Annie or Wonderful Thing or actually pretty much anything off the record to make my point. They were all impeccable. But Stool Pigeon won by a nose. Surprisingly Kid and the Coconuts moment in the sun was relatively short lived, given that they were evidently so talented. But it was great while it lasted. Wonderful to see such suss and pep riding so high in the charts.