One of dance music’s legendary figures has returned again: August Darnell, better known as Kid Creole, is back with his first album since 2001. This time he’s bringing with him a few contemporary names whose own sounds are steeped in his influence. I Wake Up Screaming features Andy Butler, the brains behind Hercules & Love Affair, on co-writing duties, as well as Brennan Greene and Lars Nissen behind the mixing board. “We’re Rocking Out Tonight,” the album’s first single, was co-written with Butler but strikes a decidedly rock tone, as distorted guitar riffs tear through the slow but orderly funk arrangements. Darnell’s nimble falsetto tip-toes through the finger-picked guitar, horn hits, buoyant bass and wormy synth leads, singing about a disagreement whose only hope of resolution is if both parties walk away. It’s the kind of tune that makes you wonder what else Kid Creole and The Coconuts have in store for the rest of I Wake Up Screaming. Our thanks to Darnell and the fine folks at Strut for making this available.

Kid Creole and The Coconuts, “We’re Rockin Out Tonight”

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