James Cooke
@dodgydiscs.bsky.social
Pop crazed youngster, books, TV & film, cooking, hiking guy et al. OK piano player. Bitesized reviews of unheard Smash Hits reviewed albums - Su Pollard to Motörhead. On here more than that ‘Twitter’ with the dodgy landlord.
Brothers Johnson - Light Up The Night. Feb 80. UK Peak: 22 I didn't really notice MJ's appearance but this is a competent funk & soul collection with the standout 'Stomp!' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Brothers Johnson - Light Up The Night. Feb 80. UK Peak: 22 I didn't really notice MJ's appearance but this is a competent funk & soul collection with the standout 'Stomp!' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Sugarhill Gang - Sugarhill Gang. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The undoubted highlight is 'Rapper's Delight' & accompanied by some laid back funk & soul with 'Bad News' also noteworthy. Whatever happened to the highly overrated 'talkover' style then? 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 18, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Sugarhill Gang - Sugarhill Gang. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The undoubted highlight is 'Rapper's Delight' & accompanied by some laid back funk & soul with 'Bad News' also noteworthy. Whatever happened to the highly overrated 'talkover' style then? 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
It's The Vapors on the cover of Smash Hits from March 20 - April 2 1980. I've heard 'The Songs The Lord Taught Us' but nothing else. A mixture of musical styles on this page. #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
It's The Vapors on the cover of Smash Hits from March 20 - April 2 1980. I've heard 'The Songs The Lord Taught Us' but nothing else. A mixture of musical styles on this page. #smashhitsalbumreviews
Squeeze - Argy Bargy. Feb 80. UK Peak: 32. The one with 'Pulling Muscles..' & 'Another Nail..' as the review says, it's probably worth another listen & is both melodic & varied. Going on first impressions it's 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 17, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Squeeze - Argy Bargy. Feb 80. UK Peak: 32. The one with 'Pulling Muscles..' & 'Another Nail..' as the review says, it's probably worth another listen & is both melodic & varied. Going on first impressions it's 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9... In case anyone wants a listen to another eclectic show featuring the likes of Soundgarden, The Kinks, Sananda Maitreya, The Goodies, Winifred Atwell and more. It be here! Enjoy
DJ Redvers Magpie Island Show 5
Alright? Listen to my hour show featuring Soundgarden, Paul McCartney, Len, The Kinks, Sananda Maitreya, Winifred Atwell, Roxy Music and more!
www.mixcloud.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9... In case anyone wants a listen to another eclectic show featuring the likes of Soundgarden, The Kinks, Sananda Maitreya, The Goodies, Winifred Atwell and more. It be here! Enjoy
Mr Partridge - Take Away. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. There's a lot to be said for creative freedom but equally it must be said for restraint. A random album of clattering & experimentation that would probably only appeal to a hardened XTC nut. 5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 16, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Mr Partridge - Take Away. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. There's a lot to be said for creative freedom but equally it must be said for restraint. A random album of clattering & experimentation that would probably only appeal to a hardened XTC nut. 5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
The desolate autumnal landscape of Whitewebbs Park. Hope Spurs don't ruin this stunning peaceful place
November 16, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The desolate autumnal landscape of Whitewebbs Park. Hope Spurs don't ruin this stunning peaceful place
Martha & The Muffins - Metro Music. Mar 80. UK Peak: 34. Fair review. All of the songs are complimentary to 'Echo Beach' so bright, confident with a lot of sax backing. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 15, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Martha & The Muffins - Metro Music. Mar 80. UK Peak: 34. Fair review. All of the songs are complimentary to 'Echo Beach' so bright, confident with a lot of sax backing. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Rachel Sweet - Protect The Innocent. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. If you want to hear a bowdlerised 'New Rose' with the edges smoothed off, this is the right place & aside from the final track jazzy offering, it's fairly safe rock overall 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Rachel Sweet - Protect The Innocent. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. If you want to hear a bowdlerised 'New Rose' with the edges smoothed off, this is the right place & aside from the final track jazzy offering, it's fairly safe rock overall 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
OMD - OMD Mar 80 UK Peak: 27. There’s a pre dynamic slower version of the hypnotic 'Messages' which I love plus 'Electricity' & 'Red Frame, White Light'. Aside from those singles, the album has the features of a maturing synth band not quite settled 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
OMD - OMD Mar 80 UK Peak: 27. There’s a pre dynamic slower version of the hypnotic 'Messages' which I love plus 'Electricity' & 'Red Frame, White Light'. Aside from those singles, the album has the features of a maturing synth band not quite settled 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Nina Hagen Band - Unbehagen. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The review is spot on. Whereas Lene Lovich may be viewed as kooky, Nina is completely hatstand! The music, mostly rock & a slice of reggae is great but takes a backseat to the performative vocals. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Nina Hagen Band - Unbehagen. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The review is spot on. Whereas Lene Lovich may be viewed as kooky, Nina is completely hatstand! The music, mostly rock & a slice of reggae is great but takes a backseat to the performative vocals. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Sister Sledge - Love Somebody Today. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. No surprises here if you know their late 70s groove. A solid & consistent disco soul album overall. The title track seems to be the strongest to my ears. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 11, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Sister Sledge - Love Somebody Today. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. No surprises here if you know their late 70s groove. A solid & consistent disco soul album overall. The title track seems to be the strongest to my ears. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
It's The Jam approaching their pomp on the cover of Smash Hits from 6-19 March 1980. I've heard 'Get Happy' & it's yet another Martha & The Muffins album. Who knew they were so prolific? #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 11, 2025 at 7:49 AM
It's The Jam approaching their pomp on the cover of Smash Hits from 6-19 March 1980. I've heard 'Get Happy' & it's yet another Martha & The Muffins album. Who knew they were so prolific? #smashhitsalbumreviews
Horslips - Short Stories, Tall Tales. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. Agree with the review. Melodic pop rock with elements of Squeeze & McCartney. Highly listenable but not especially challenging. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 10, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Horslips - Short Stories, Tall Tales. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. Agree with the review. Melodic pop rock with elements of Squeeze & McCartney. Highly listenable but not especially challenging. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Robert Gordon - Bad Boy. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. Just 27 minutes of music with a BBE date of 1958. Best when he goes outside this boundary on 'Born To Lose' plus his covers of 'Bad Boy' & 'Picture Of You' are decent. A touch better than Shaky 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 9, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Robert Gordon - Bad Boy. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. Just 27 minutes of music with a BBE date of 1958. Best when he goes outside this boundary on 'Born To Lose' plus his covers of 'Bad Boy' & 'Picture Of You' are decent. A touch better than Shaky 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
I love this album cover & shall be my car listening for next weekend. Terrific piano playing that I can only marvel at. The first track is the theme tune to early 80s snooker programme 'Pot Black' & is called 'Black & White Rag'
November 9, 2025 at 11:20 AM
I love this album cover & shall be my car listening for next weekend. Terrific piano playing that I can only marvel at. The first track is the theme tune to early 80s snooker programme 'Pot Black' & is called 'Black & White Rag'
Shakin' Stevens - Take One. Mar 80. UK Peak: 62. Rock n Roll Records with a country inflection would have been sure to please Dad's of 1980. 'Hot Dog' is the hit & best track & is upbeat throughout. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Shakin' Stevens - Take One. Mar 80. UK Peak: 62. Rock n Roll Records with a country inflection would have been sure to please Dad's of 1980. 'Hot Dog' is the hit & best track & is upbeat throughout. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
999 - The Biggest Prize In Sport. Feb 80. No UK Chart Placing. I knew this band had some songwriting quality after 'Emergency' & 'Homicide' & so it's proved here. A driving new wave pop sound throughout. Good energy. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
999 - The Biggest Prize In Sport. Feb 80. No UK Chart Placing. I knew this band had some songwriting quality after 'Emergency' & 'Homicide' & so it's proved here. A driving new wave pop sound throughout. Good energy. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Players Association - We Got The Groove. Feb 80. No UK Chart Placing. Just the four tracks on this 30 minute album. Don't disagree with the review. It's good serviceable disco but not much more. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Players Association - We Got The Groove. Feb 80. No UK Chart Placing. Just the four tracks on this 30 minute album. Don't disagree with the review. It's good serviceable disco but not much more. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
open.spotify.com/track/0A6eI8...
Chart crimes. The first single from his second album, the one after 'Sign Your Name', only got to No.83 in 1989. A psychedelic rock/soul slice of awesomeness
Chart crimes. The first single from his second album, the one after 'Sign Your Name', only got to No.83 in 1989. A psychedelic rock/soul slice of awesomeness
This Side Of Love
open.spotify.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:52 AM
open.spotify.com/track/0A6eI8...
Chart crimes. The first single from his second album, the one after 'Sign Your Name', only got to No.83 in 1989. A psychedelic rock/soul slice of awesomeness
Chart crimes. The first single from his second album, the one after 'Sign Your Name', only got to No.83 in 1989. A psychedelic rock/soul slice of awesomeness
Here early doors at this lovely venue in Shepherd's Bush to see Sananda Maitreya aka Terence Trent D'Arby. It's only taken me 38 years to finally see him live.
November 5, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Here early doors at this lovely venue in Shepherd's Bush to see Sananda Maitreya aka Terence Trent D'Arby. It's only taken me 38 years to finally see him live.
Spyro Gyra - Catching The Sun. Feb 80. UK Peak: 31. The kind of record that exudes music you hear when you've just arrived for that 1st cocktail in the bar of a hot country. It relaxes you & but by day 3, you'll think it's soporific Muzak. 5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 5, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Spyro Gyra - Catching The Sun. Feb 80. UK Peak: 31. The kind of record that exudes music you hear when you've just arrived for that 1st cocktail in the bar of a hot country. It relaxes you & but by day 3, you'll think it's soporific Muzak. 5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
It's Buggles who adorn the cover of Smash Hits from 21 Feb to 5 Mar 1980. I've got 'Too Much Pressure' & 'Terminal Jive' & the rest to discover. Yes, another Shaky album incoming. #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 5, 2025 at 7:14 AM
It's Buggles who adorn the cover of Smash Hits from 21 Feb to 5 Mar 1980. I've got 'Too Much Pressure' & 'Terminal Jive' & the rest to discover. Yes, another Shaky album incoming. #smashhitsalbumreviews
Buggles - Age Of Plastic. Feb 80. UK Peak: 27. Agreed. A strong album with half of the 8 tracks being single releases. 'Video..' towers over them but 'Plastic Age' is a very worthy follow up. Listenable. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Buggles - Age Of Plastic. Feb 80. UK Peak: 27. Agreed. A strong album with half of the 8 tracks being single releases. 'Video..' towers over them but 'Plastic Age' is a very worthy follow up. Listenable. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews