I am on a personal mission to make Baxter Dury a star. A superstar, even, if at all possible.

Frankly, I’m not sure why more people aren’t championing my cause. Even if you don’t factor in his terrific music, the man’s life could alone be the subject of a very interesting film. But we are factoring in his terrific music. His haunting, compelling, uniquely terrific music… and I’d say that makes him worthy of stardom.

Baxter Dury is the 34-year-old son of the late Ian Dury (as in the Blockheads). He actually avoided playing music for most of his life, feeling that it was too cliche for the son of a famous musician. Although Baxter denies being influenced by his father’s musicianship, he does credit Dad with fostering his love of music. Baxter spent his teenage years being raised by a family friend and ex-Zeppelin roadie, a fellow with the improbable name of The Sulphate Strangler. Shockingly, Baxter was expelled from a number of schools, until he finally called it quits entirely at the age of 15. It would take him the next fifteen years to realize that a musician was all he could (and should) be. Ian Dury passed away of cancer in March 2000. Baxter’s first public performance was at his father’s wake, where he performed his dad’s “My Old Man” (poignantly, about the elder Dury’s own father).

The following year, he released an e.p. with the help of Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley of Portishead and Richard Hawley of Pulp. He has since gone on to release two full-length albums with the Rough Trade label, Len Parrot’s Memorial Lift and Floorshow. He is also rumored to have a new record in progress. If you’ve never heard Baxter Dury, sample his video for “Francesca’s Party” below and look for those LP’s… they’re good stuff! Dury’s songs are populated with a variety of odd characters, which is not surprising considering that his own life has been a parade of some fairly colorful individuals. The man has managed to assimilate all the amazing music he has experienced first-hand and to distill those influences down to a deceptively simple and warm concoction. Enjoy his unique music and help me on my mission to make this man a star!

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I didn’t mention this next record last week because I was under the impression that its release had been pushed back. Apparently, my sources were mistaken! Some of you may remember Pharoahe Monch from his days with Organized Konfusion, a great hip-hop duo from back in the 90s. His second solo album Desire came out this last Tuesday, and it’s worth a listen. Although it’s major label fare, the record is neither synth-heavy dirty south style nor gangsta slow-hop. It’s a crunchy, sample-laden, abstract hip-hop record with just enough accessibility to keep your head nodding. The track, “What it is,” has one of the best lines I’ve ever heard in a hip-hop tune: “Lay in the cut like Neosporin”. Fucking brilliant.

New Releases 7.3.07: I don’t give a rat’s ass about anything this Tuesday but going to see the Transformers Movie at midnight. Eat it.

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If you enjoy these tunes, tune into my radio show on kxlu 88.9fm 10a-2p every monday. we’re also streaming live at www.kxlu.com.

Tags: adrian utley, baxter dury, desire, floorshow, francescas party, geoff barrow, ian dury, len parrots memorial lift, organized konfusion, pharoahe monch, portishead, pulp, richard hawley