Neil Queen
Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes

TRACK: Knickerbocker
WHO: Fujiya and Miyagi. It’s either a make of record player and the dude from Karate Kid or a Brighton four-piece. Part of me wants it to be the former, but sadly knows it to be the latter.
WHAT: Kraut-art-japester-funk.
THE HYPE: “They’ve done the unthinkable. They’ve made krautrock fun." - Picthfork
WE SAY: Aahhh, the good old English eccentric. Always good to see that there’s still room for him. They may not look especially raffish, but Fujiya & Miyagi have that playful arty willfullness that marked out the likes of Viv Stanshall, plus the eye for the bland glamour that characterised Half Man Half Biscuit.
Lyrically alone, this is easily worth wasting the two seconds required to head to their MySpace. Feeling like the automatic writing of a surrealist, words and phrases hang together creating a touching ragbag of possibly shared memories – summed up by a chorus that is one part mysterious, one part genius: “vanilla, strawberry, knickerbocker glory; I saw the ghost of Lena Zavarone" whispered by singer David Best like it’s some arcane incantation that can raise an army of light entertainers from the dead, like Rod Hull and Dustin Gee recreating the Thriller video.
Having knocked around for a fair few years, the Brighton band have now perfected the art of banging together Krautrock and dancetronica, with the nagging and incessant drum 'n' bass hum that'll be familiar to fans of Neu and Riton's more recent Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, yet feels perfectly at home in the new millenium. Add to that the sparing washes of moog and guitar and you have a perfect bedrocks for Best’s curious monologues. A synergy of stuff that appeals to ear, brain and feet, this really is a sweet treat that won't rot your teeth.
It truly deserves to sell in its 100s and 1000s TM. Groan.
IF YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW ONE THING: The video for Knickerbocker is something else too. A witty and charming retro slide show based on the song’s lyrics. It's on the MySpace. Have a look.
WHERE CAN I GET MY HANDS ON IT: Knickerbocker is out Aug 25 on Full-Time Hobby. Their album Lightbulbs follows Sept 1st.
FIND MORE: www.myspace.com/fujiyaandmiyagi

Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
F & M have done it again. This album is just amazing. Bass players of the world unite and listen to Matt Hainsby, simply the best
Inkybash, Moscow, Russia