Go Go Harlem Baby – Flat Duo Jets

Flat Duo Jets is a a two-piece band that has an infatuation with good old rock ‘n’ roll. Made up of Dex Romweber on guitar and a drummer simply credited as “Crow,” this North Carolina-based duo create a sonic wall that many larger groups can only yearn to achieve. An influence of many lo-fi contemporaries, from the White Stripes to Sleigh Bells

To get the best taste of the Jets’ gut busting instrumentality, check out “Frog Went A Courtin’.” The blistering guitar and crash-happy drumming showcase the ferocity of both musicians. Every note seems simple and yet exactly right. There’s no flourishes missed, no exposition needed. Although, vocally, it’s probably the hardest track in which to actually make out what Dex is saying.

“God help the future anthropologist who dredges up the music of Flat Duo Jets in an unmarked time capsule. While it’s true that the Jets formed in 1983, you’d swear they crawled out of the Bayou circa 1956.” (Spencer Tricker)

Part of the beauty of this record is its simplicity and its brevity. Most tracks clock in around or under 2 minutes, the only notable exception being the beautiful rendition of “You Belong To Me” which has about as much heart as the Dean Martin version.

The rest of the cuts range from twist dance inducing (“The Dainty Song”) to blues instrumentals (“Harlem Nocturne,” “Wild Trip” and “Stalkin’”). And while each song’s run time may be short, there is never a shortage of pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. The album has it’s slower moments, too. As mentioned before, “You Belong To Me” slows down the first half, where “Apple Blossom Time” adds a 50s piano ballad shuffle flavor as the penultimate track. “Ask Me How I Live” closes the record with an unusually dark tone, the final piano flourishes echoing into the ether.

Author’s Note: Since this review, I purchased Go Go Harlem Baby on vinyl and have to say, it finds its way onto my platter often, and usually for a few days at a time. 

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Released: March 15th, 1991

Suggested by: Jack White

For project details and to suggest your own favorite album, visit the intro page.