BCNC - Black Peter (from Live in Miami 1984)

Make no bones about it, Live in Miami 1984 — despite its sunny title — is a break-up record in the most high. The rhythms and plinking guitars sing of places tropical. And yes, the Ayler-cum-Smoov Jazz sax flourishes, the loosey-goosey sing-behind-the-beat vocals and all that damned cooing just reek of a breezy swagger. But there is some dark, existential narcissism at play here, dear friends. Loads, in fact. And when BCNC (nee Black Congo NC) really lean into a tune, as on album standouts “Black Peter,” “Chocoboots” and “Seagull,” there is a kinetic murk found only in the cosmic dread of self-absorbed, brokenhearted young men…almost giving way to complete suffocating chaos. But then, no, there comes a shimmery melody and an exotic bird call or two. You see, when your heart has been gutted and the dread has overtaken you, sometimes the only answer is to fall head-over-heels in love with the world. And that’s where BCNC’s obsession with “place” (Africa, Florida, Brazil, Paris) really has its genesis. Place, real or imagined, ignites not only lived memories and common knowledge, but also possibilities. And with possibilities comes hope. And only hope can beat dread.