It's that time of year – new local albums are emerging. I can think of five currently out or almost ready. Two of them come from Welcome Bay's Colourfield Studio and they share the distinction of having specific time periods at their heart.

Tim Julian, head honcho at the studio, is about to unleash his much-anticipated solo debut, ‘Southern Utopia'.

Tim is a fan of the 1980s and here is an astounding collage of styles from that era of big hair and pulsing keyboards.

But even more of a specific time is the new release from keyboard-playing singer Anthony Coulter, who launches his new CD EP (five tracks), ‘Shaking Her Wings', at Driver's Bar on Tuesday, July 21.

One of a kind

Anthony has been around for a while but I must confess I've never previously heard him. And, as his music immediately shows, Anthony is an unusual guy. Specifically, he seems to have taken a musical vacation to the 1970s and never made it back.

Now, before you think I'm criticising or extracting the Michael, let me assure you that is not the case. One of the great joys of music is it allows music-makers to be their eccentric selves. That's why we prize them. No one's interested in the mundane; at least being individual is interesting.

On ‘Shaking Her Wings' there are five songs, all well-crafted pieces, sung well by Anthony, with a great band and Colourfield arrangements. The touchstones are Neil Diamond, Elton John and – to my ears – musical theatre. If you told me this album was made in 1972 I wouldn't doubt you. It is so oddly out of its time that you can't help but applaud the unblinking focus.

There are a couple of other things making the CD unique. The first is that Anthony – and I base this on meeting him only once – is about the most genial guy you could ever come across. He is a bundle of excitable happy energy. And he absolutely sounds that way when he sings. Which gives a strange frisson to songs such as the opener here ‘Lipstick on my Leathers', a dramatic story of hell-bound lovers in leather, yet one delivered with extroverted cheerfulness.

A way with words

Anthony also has an individual way with a lyric, which could be regarded as distinctive, or possibly misjudged. I hesitate to decide, since often sticking in your mind is more important for a lyric than being objectively 'good”.

I find the love song ‘My Warm Skinned Friend' odd. That line is odd. But, who knows? I've been called odd myself. The title track, with its butterfly metaphor and opening line ‘Making it with the monarch' is similarly challenging.

What works wonderfully is an up-tempo slice of Neil Diamond pop which should have been a huge hit. If, that is, it had been released in 1970.

It's called ‘Go Go Girl' and is infectiously catchy as all get-up (‘You're a go go girl in a go go world!'). Sadly, it appears somewhat out of step in a world currently suffering a severe shortage of go go girls.

Anthony's launch is free and will kick off at 7pm. He's going to play some solo songs and has a terrific band who will back him on the CD material.

And he'll launch the video for ‘Shaking Her Wings'. It'll be fun. Flares, cords, polyester, trouser suits and other fashion accessories optional.

Got rhythm?

And, if you're looking for something to do this weekend, there are a couple of excellent options for Saturday night, July 11, depending on your taste and location.

First up is over at the Mount where Afrobeat funksters B2KDA, who used to be Batucada Sound Machine, is playing MauaoPAC. They are boasting four new members including a new singer/guitarist, Tauranga's own Joel Shadbolt, who due to injury won't be playing guitar but only singing.

Winter blues

Alternatively, on the other side of town, Kokomo is playing at the Te Puna Memorial Hall. There'll be a bar and they're promising a mid-winter party before the iconic hall gets torn down for a roundabout.

Both bands have songs online that a quick Google will find. Both events start at 8pm and cost $20, either from Eventfinder or on the door.

watusi@thesun.co.nz