Listen: The Gap / The Thompson Twins ThompsonTwinsGap.mp3

You know how it is when a band or artist suddenly gets critical mass? That brief moment when you feel part of mainstream society, because like the mass public, you too can’t get enough. Seems every song is a hit, and the hits just keep coming. To name a few: The Pretenders, Hole, Eurythmics, The Stone Roses, Culture Club or most recently Lady Gaga and The Black Eyed Peas.

When the stars lined up in that way for The Thompson Twins, I felt liberated. ‘The Gap’ was always the standout track from INTO THE GAP, but didn’t quite enjoy the chart showing of the three prior singles, all big successes, pulled from it. By then, the record had sold tons and pretty much anyone who wanted ‘The Gap’ had it on the full length.

As a show opener, nothing could top this song. It’s eerie, medieval drone kept the pop side just dark enough to pretty much outlive it’s counterparts as a long laster. Every so often, when browsing through my shelf for some other title, I’ll just stop and know ‘The Gap’ will hit the spot – like tonight.

Listen: Two Little Kids / Peaches & Herb Peaches2Little.mp3

When I pulled out a handful of their singles to play over the weekend, my kids asked who was singing.

“Peaches & Herb.”

“Sounds like a new tea choice from Celestial Seasonings.” Man, they can so be quick sometimes.

But most of us know otherwise. Me, I considered them my RnB Sonny & Cher.

Through the years, there was one Herb and several Peaches. Six to be exact. Initially signed to Date Records from ’66 – ’70, it’s former vocalist with The Sweet Things, Francine Day, who took the lead on all the recordings and is admittedly my favorite. Even after her retirement from touring two years in (Marlene Mack from The Jaynetts replaced her live), she remained Peaches in the studio. Every last Peaches & Herb single on the label is a must for any proper collection.

Listen: Shake Your Groove Thing / Peaches & Herb PeachesGroove.mp3

Despite my penchant for Northern Soul, and for Date Records, it’s this later single that is the riot worth posting. Everyone knows it. And once I got the riff into my head this morning, it was unshakeable, for the entire day.

Linda Greene, the third Peaches, indeed does a great vocal on this one.

‘Shake Your Groove Thing’ – think about it. In some ways, the mainstream was much looser twenty or so years ago (Culture Club for example) than now. No matter. The record was massive (#5 US). Did every programmer just turn an blind eye to the lyrics? I guess so.

So what exactly is a groove thing?