COVENTRY Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.

Lloyd McGrath Collective new EP

SO, a new EP entitled ‘Destruction’ from the great Lloyd McGrath Collective, oh happy days.

With five tracks, including some of their superb back catalogue, this really is an EP that should be in your collection.

Not only does it include one of Coventry’s finest bands, it also happens to be produced by the great Roger Lomas – one of our finest producers, with photography by another Cov legend Mark Pemberton.

Okay, onto the tracks: ‘Destruction’ – Great vocals, superb reggae vibe, a showcase of all the talent in this band.

‘Take You Out Tonight’ – A superb slice of inspirational Ska as it races along at a pace – a definite floor filler.

‘Fine in the Summertime’ – As you would expect with such a title, this one celebrates those sunny summer days, a cold beer sat overlooking a beach, just chillin’. Another well-constructed brass-driven anthem to the finest time of year.

‘Stayin In Tonight’ – Another song I know well, a stage fave, indeed one of my favourite LGC tracks too. With fantastic lyrics, this is a classic track – great guitar lick blending with some hot brass vibes and clever keyboards on a bed of outstanding rhythm section. I would love to hear a megamix of this opus. It deserves to be at least 11 minutes long.

‘Turbulence’ – Another song I know well. I recall being on rollercoaster of a flight to Belgium, thinking the worst as the plane was bashing its way through air pockets and it was this song that was going around in head and surprisingly took my mind of the situation. This is a humdinger of a song, and pretty much a signature tune of the band.

Back in the Day The Good Neighbours Songwriting Project By Steve Jones (Stylusboy)

Coventry singer-songwriter Steve Jones, better known to the musical community as Stylusboy, has been creating a superb body-of-work over the years.

Steve of late is one of the Coventry City of Culture Community Connectors and has been working on a song writing project with Good Neighbours.

Good Neighbours was founded in 2016 to provide support for older people who are feeling lonely or isolated.

Steve has been visiting some wonderful people to hear their life stories and then used this inspiration to create a collection of brand-new original songs.

This project is part of the Love Coventry programme, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and delivered by Coventry City of Culture Trust and 64Million Artists. Steve said: “It has been wonderful to visit some lovely older folks and write these songs to celebrate their lives.

“The training and support from the Trust and 64Million Artists has been so useful to me.”

On Monday, May 30, Steve will be sharing the songs he has written at an intimate live performance at The Welcome Centre in Coventry.

You are invited to come and hear the songs and find out more about Good Neighbours.

All the money from the tickets will be given directly to Good Neighbours to help support the work they do.

Back in the Day, The Good Neighbours Songwriting Project on May 30 is at The Welcome Centre, 47 Parkside, Coventry. Doors at 7pm (public event).

Visit stylusboy.co.uk/backintheday for more and for info about the VIP Event at 2pm on the same day.