Various Artists - Dance Magic Dance 01

With the opening track, La La Vasquez’s ‘Buoy’, Dance Magic Dance have an extremely in-vogue band to match their exceedingly hip club night in Shoreditch. Their lo-fi garage has extra muffle thanks to the cassette tape, perhaps a case of mismanagement, or maybe it’s more an ironic gesture; either way, we’re not particularly enthused - there appears to be an unfortunate gap between La La Vasquez and the forerunners of this recent lo-fi ‘movement’ (oh god!), such as Vivian Girls. Much better, however, are The Racket with their unbridled punk. The sub-two minutes Ramones-indebted ‘I Don’t Like Your Friends’ sounds everlastingly fresh - a tough feat in itself for punk bands. Here, you can see why Dance Magic Dance has evolved into an increasingly important night for new bands to make their mark on.

Further in, Sex Beet deliver the finest of surf-punk songs for this compilation; Leicester now truly has something more worthy to be proud of than Kasabian or Showaddywaddy. East London hotshots French Kissing continue with the surf theme, a spiral of guitar riffs, tumbling drums and baritone vocals.

The opening chords of Side B belong to One Fathom Down, with ‘Her Brain Completes The Circuit’. Their self-brand of ‘psycho surf metal’ seems apt - a more mellow comparison would be to The Small Faces. Their freshness is notable and no doubt they will rise up the ranks of “so hip it hurts” East Londoners in no time at all. Phat Trophies’ ‘Oregano’ is similar in style and structure, we just wish they would add vocals to the mix.

Please and Bo Ningen, especially the latter, are extremely entertaining with their heavy progressive punk. Bo Ningen have attracted all worldly appreciation from deepest, darkest Shoreditch whilst simultaneously avoiding the bog of it all. It would be a little far-fetched to suggest that ‘Koroshitai Kimochi’ is in essence an anthem for the East London masses, but the truth is not far off; without doubt an incredible band and equally thrilling on tape as in performance.

Bringing the cassette tape compilation to a close with ‘Can Not Love’, Bitches sound like a mix of the aforementioned Bo Ningen and Sex Beet. A fitting and quick-fire ending to a compilation of many hits and few misses, one that should garner respect.