Double Barrel

The consummate DJ meets the piano man with pizzazz, and the music world would never be the same again. Dave and Ansel Collins' "Double Barrel" and its follow-up "Monkey Spanner" almost single-handedly fired the later Two Tone explosion, with their "heavy, heavy monster sound". Today that monstrous sound is normally dismissed as cheesy organ, but if cheese it is, it's the best brie around. Double Barrel was slapped together to cash in on the success of the pair's two singles, and occasionally the joins show, "Impossible Mission," for example, is a reorchestrated instrumental version of the title track. And understandably, the vast majority of the dozen songs within are instrumentals, heavy on the Hammond, although "Elfrego Bacca" is merely heavy going, "I The Third" is heavy lifting ("uh, uh, uh, ooh, ouch, aiya!"), while "Secret Weapon" is the heaviest hitter in this pack, all insistent reggae beat and Collins' organ bubbling, burbling, and finally flaring into pure lushness. For UK buyers, this is what they expected, moonstomping beats, bouncy keyboard melodies, and Dave Barker in best yipping style. But on two tracks, he opens his mouth, and instead of a howl, out come the sweetest vocals imaginable. "That Girl" is perfect pop frothy pop confection, while "My Best Girl" is even better. Collins conjures up moody atmospheres in the background, while Barker is the personification of love gone wrong melancholy. The dulcet backing vocals are provided by The Techniques, Barker, of course, was an occasional member of this great vocal group. Surprisingly, Double Barrel far exceeded expectations of even the most cynical purchaser, and cheesy organ never sounded so delicious. ~ Jo-Ann Greene