Baby products and punk funk aren't a pair of phrases often heard in the same sentence. But this isn't some creative writing nightmare, this is about the founder of Mothercare's son and three decades of great records emanating from New York.
Michael Zilkha (he's the baby profiteering one) and Michael Esteban set up ZE Records some 30 years ago, releasing music that merged the conflicting sounds of post-punk and disco-funk to make, for the first time, the indie kids dance.
Described as No Wave, ZE were top dogs during NYC's golden age of the early eighties, embodying the fusion of music, art, cinema, literature and fashion that was lauded the world over - Manchester included. Artists such as Kid Creole and The Coconuts, Was Not Was, James Black and Cristina ensured much success was enjoyed, drunk and snorted until they classically broke down in 1986.
This week ZE - after a 2002 rebirth - are having a birthday party in New York, you should pop along. If you don't have the airfare handy though, have a listen to these bad boys and buy one of their Mutant Disco compilations here!
MP3: Cristina - What A Girl To Do
MP3: James White And The Blacks - Almost Black
MP3: Was Not Was - Tell Me That I'm Dreaming
MP3: Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Wawa