RATBEAT INTERNATIONAL

Was it really me who just yesterday had difficulties to get a grip on this record? After 6, 8, 10 or who knows how many plays, it seems unbelievable; the songs are so strong and catchy I could sing along with any chosen track from the album. It must have been the merry mixture of pop and funk that first had me fooled . . . though I'm no stranger to tough funk and no way am I going to go through this review without mentioning Red Hot Chilli Peppers whose FREAKY STYLEY album I still consider the best funk record of the 80's - whatever the purists may think about that.

Yup, Cocktail Girlz from Atlanta, Georgia, combine heavy duty funk with pop tunes and rock treatment very much like the Peppers. What is surprising is that the Peppers needed the God like talent of George Clinton as a producer to get the right stuff out of their systems but the Girlz manage to do almost as well without any divine help. The record could not have been that expensive to make but it does not sound cheap (though the cover does look exactly that). There's only four guys in the band but the sound's full and like the Peppers they get a lot out of the basic vocal, guitar bass and drum line-up. Playing and singing is so competent the musicians earn to be mentioned by name: Rats all over the globe, say hello to John Pack (guitar), Young Danny Morton (vocals), Jamie Adams (bass) and David Clark (drums).

My favourite tracks on the album represent the extremes on the record. "Last Summer" is a sure fire pop hit, fast sun & fun ditty with great hooks and happy feel . . . on the other side "Eisenhower High School Band" is the ultimate dance rhythmed hard funk boiler, spiced with great bass work by mr Free Hands Adams. Listen to these two songs first, try to imagine how they be on the same album . . . then try the other tracks and find out the adventurous way from pure pop to fatal funk . . via another world in outer space. And although you probably have never liked a funk record before, the energy and positive aura of KINETIC CIRKUS should mean something to you.

(M)

CREATIVE LOAFING

OPTION

COCKTAIL GIRLZ: Kinetic Cirkus - These Girlz (who are actually guys) push some pretty funky music and some pretty cocky attitudes. John Pack's guitar playing falls a bit short in the lead department, but more than makes up for it with some tough rhythm work, and the bass and drums stay muscular throughout. Lead singer Young Danny Morton struts his stuff over top of the music with considerable self-assurance, and although the lyrics get a bit inane from time to time, one can easily overlook their shortcomings thanks to some catchy arrangements and nice production touches. A very strong album. - Mark Kissinger

ROCK EXPRESS

The essence of this record lives up to the label's motto. . . "If it's not fun, don't do it." It's not easy to sit still while listening to this record and it sounds much better turned up loud. Like The Mekons, these guys borrow heavily from earlier music styles, but of a much newer vintage - rap, for example. Frenzied and frantic at times, pensive and almost mellow at others, the Girlz seem to be musical explorers with a tongue-in-cheek wit. Whatever skills the Cocktail Girlz might lack in production quality, song arrangements, graphic design, spelling and being able to differentiate between the sexes, is more than made up for with the good-natured enthusiasm of their music. The must be a good act to catch live