Reviewed by Paul Keeble

Blake, alias Julian Pugsley, has released several recordings in the last seven years and 'A Taste Of Blake' is a compilation with several alternate mixes and extras. This is catchy '60s influenced indie pop dripping with great hooks and memorable guitar riffs, obviously low budget, but capturing a bucket-load of character and quirkiness. The occasional out of tune-ness (if the Kinks can do it on "Lola".) slightly lumpy timing, and uneven mixing all actually help to create a great feel and sense of fun. Highlights are numerous: the title track gets things off to a great start with a Kula Shaker-ish groove built round riffing guitar and bass (an additional alternate mix later brings the KS feel out even more); "She's Not All That" features a cheap organ sound which fits beautifully; "You Could Be Part Of My Dream" with its barroom piano and kazoo; "Now You're Gone" is a lovely unrequited love song; the guitar on the driving "I Wanna See You Again"; the funky wah-wah groove on "Black Magic". I could go on. "Bernard's Theme" is a throwaway instrumental which reminds me of the muzak played at discos in '60s US TV shows like The Man From Uncle. Lyrically, we're talking mostly love songs, but "Kiss Of Judas" is an interesting take on that disciple and "Mr Dawkins", is addressed to a certain well-known grumpy atheist. "I Believe In Jesus (Not You)" is a critique of pushy conservative evangelicals: "Teaching Hell and damnation/If they don't sign up with you". Closer "Goodbye Cruel Pop World" is a farewell note to an uncaring music industry. These more negative tracks, coming at the end of the album, sour it slightly, but otherwise this is highly recommended.

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