When they released their debut 'The Dodgy Album' in 1993, Dodgy looked like they were on their way to having it all. Frontman/bassist Nigel Clark -nice tunes, big hair- drummer, Matthew Priest -Keith Moon in a porkpie hat -and guitarist Andy Miller -quietly affable fella- were known as the clowns of Brit-pop - purveyors of fine Sixties scented summertime tunes who didn't take themselves or the 'business' too seriously.
Dodgy also liked their jazz cigarettes. Not for nothing was their second album called 'Homegrown'. They racked up hits such as 'Staying Out For The Summer', 'Good Enough' and 'In A Room'. Then their record label, A&M, was taken over by Polygram who in turn were swallowed up by Universal & Seagram. Dodgy were dropped and seemingly done for.
Now, thanks to the generosity of their fans -they contributed £10,000 to help the band record their new album- Dodgy are back on the market with 'Real Estate'. Priest and Miller remain but Clark has left and donated his hair to Toploader. He is replaced by one David Bassey -no relation to Welsh songstress Shirley- who sounds uncannily like David Essex. After this initial shock Dodgy, complete with new additions -bassist Nick Abnett (from The Aloof) and keyboard player Chris Hallam- get down to business serving up soulful, largely retro fare which sadly may not hold the attention of the fickle record buying public for too long.
Shame really for 'Real Estate' is not without its moments. 'Featherweight & Monkeyface' promises to take off to somewhere exotic, 'Vision' barrels along at a cracking pace, the Boo Radleys-esque 'Clean' positively shimmers and the remixed single 'Feather Cuts' throws some great big beat shapes.
As for the rest, well, they may yet find a home on Radio 2 but in today's UK garage and R&B fuelled world it may sound dated to some. Will this album relaunch the goodship Dodgy? Hopefully, but while a lot of effort has gone into building 'Real Estate', this particular property seems built on slightly shaky foundations.
