Molotov Jukebox
Album: Bang
Label: Mana Songs
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.molotov-jukebox.co.uk

Molotov Jukebox is, like all the best Jukeboxes, an eclectic mix of styles, genres and sounds. Give 'Bang', the bands debut EP a cursory listen and you will hear Balkan, Calypso, Jazz, Swing and Ska. This mix has been dubbed 'gyp-step' which rolls off the tongue a lot easier than listing all the influences.

Natalia Tena leads the band with her vocals and accordion and behind her is a solid rhythm section plus guitar, violin and, like all the best dance bands, a trumpet riffing throughout.

The first three tracks 'Tick Tock', 'Give It A Go' and 'Trying' all have sassy vocals (the latter with a touch of the Gwen Steffani about them) and the air of the fiesta about them (somebody had fun with the Speedy Gonzales effect on Give it a Go). With the last track 'Don't Panic' the band show that they don't only operate at 100 miles per hour, well, maybe not for the first minute and half anyway. After invoking the image of a lone trumpeter sitting at the window of a Chicago apartment, late at night, probably in the rain, they pace picks up and the band are in full on jazz mode.

Unsurprisingly Molotov Jukebox are a huge hit on the festival circuit and I doubt that 'Bang' truly reflects what they are able to do in front a packed audience- but it will more than do.

John 'The jacket' Hawes