Rubies – Explode from the Centre

Explode from the Centre ‘ Rubies

BY CHRIS PEKEN

The term ‘explosion’ would indicate some form of vicious expression of energy: ‘to give vent to an emotion, suddenly or violently’. As such it’s somewhat of a misnomer in terms of the Rubies, whose gentle funk, smooth folk and subtly danceable rhythms are anything but violent. Had Dusty Springfield befriended the lads from Roxy Music at a Fleetwood Mac gig then perhaps Explode From the Centre might have been created earlier. I Feel Electric opens as a musical tease, melding Ultravox’s Fade to Grey and Blondie’s Heart of Glass before the verse kicks in with shuffling maracas and soft edged synth lines, the chorus reprising the opening. There is more of the history of electro pop in this one number than most 80’s retro nights. Will be heard at the more discerning dinner parties and after-parties for months to come.

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