TERROR FROM THE UNIVERSE

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Label Cherry Red Records

Garage-punks The Cramps were known not only for their psychobilly sounds, but for turning their fans on to ’50s and ’60s obscurities. Since frontman Lux Interior’s death, compilations chanelling their musical tastes have proliferated. The latest, described as “from the attic of Lux and Ivy”, has a sci-fi theme.

Curated by Mojo’s Dave Henderson, it’s surprisingly light on novelty rock ‘n’ roll, though there are a few such treats. With their sleazy sax, finger clicks and walking bass, the likes of “Jupiter C” by Pat And The Satellites and Bob and Jerry’s “Ghost Satellite” are the perfect soundtrack to a leather-clad delinquent strut. But laid-back space-age jazz from zeitgeist-surfing LPs like Ron Goodwin’s “Music In Orbit” is just as prevalent.

Encompassing Eden Ahbez’s beatnik exotica, Tom Dissevelt’s electronic burbles and Attileo Mineo’s satellite bleeps, it’s a collection that provides gateways to some amazing artists – though the sleeve notes are scant, and Henderson breaks DJ rule #1 by returning to albums for a second cut.

Purists be warned: the 26 tracks have been mixed into four suites, with movie samples added. Sometimes this pays dividends (overlaying Sun Ra’s far-out jazz with dialogue from Italian B-movie The Day The Sky Exploded Again works rather well), but more often it’s an intrusion. Ian Berriman