332) Carbon Silicon - The Last Post

Out of the blue free songs started to appear on the internet but this wasn’t anybody chucking up whatever they wanted this was Mick Jones.

Big Audio Dynamite, BADII and Big Audio had finally ground to a halt and Mick had teamed up with Tony James. Everyone will know this, but they were briefly together in the London S.S. (terrible named punk band that released nothing and where various members went on too much better things) before The Clash and Generation X took off and Mick helped Tony with Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

Both had always maintained an interest in technology and Carbon Silicon released a series of EP’s and albums free on the internet and toured around the UK and America.

This album was their only official release but was technically songs pulled from their internet only release and given a bit of magic by Clash producer Bill Price and bringing in BAD bassist Leo Williams and Reef drummer Dominic Greensmith to boost the sound.

Mick, I have mentioned many a time, I genuinely think he is one of the UK’s most underrated talents, this was his first record in years and also sadly his last one, I always hope he will reappear with a new record but he is seventy this year so if he is just enjoying retirement and doing the odd thing here and there who am I to argue?

Is it any good? Yes and no is the answer, the songs are to long as each song could be cut from five odd minutes to three and a few tracks do plod along, War on Culture and Acton Zulus a case in point.

However. when it hits it shows Mick still has magic in those fingers of his. Opener The News acoustic guitar welcomes in before a thriving relentless riff never leaves us, and Mick delivers an authoritative vocal. What the Fuck the opening is a direct steal from Clash City Rockers but if anyone should be allowed to steal this it’s Jones, good guitar solo halfway through but not earth shattering.

Tell It Like It Is could be on a BAD album, mid paced with an interesting middle section and Leo coming in on vocals before Mick steps back in and on National Anthem we have Mick talking to us before a funky laidback beat arrives, I can imagine Jones grinning along to this one.

Really the Blues starts like prime Blondie  and Why Do Men Fight is an upbeat stomp along with Leo and Mick swapping vocals and ends the record on a high note.

The band seemed primed to move to the next step but suddenly it all stopped and the were gone and Mick returned with the original BAD.

Will he return?

6.5/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: The News