Lovelock’s ‘Business And Pleasure’

So do you remember that scene in Tom Holland’s great Fright Night when Chris Sarandon’s suave and terrifying vampire Jerry Dandridge seduces Charlie Brewster’s girlfriend Amy Peterson back at his lair? The music playing was sexy, sultry, and mildly disconcerting, a vibe of both “come hither” and “run for your life” all in the same moment? The great Brad Fiedel created that music, and the score to this great 80s horror/comedy classic only added to both the frightening and beguiling mood of the film.

Well, if you haven’t seen the great Fright Night then I’ll ask you to simply stop reading and watch it. When you have, come back and pick up where you left off. If you have, then great. What I’m getting at here is the the great musician/composer Steve Moore wears many musical hats. He’s got his Zombi beanie, his film composer scally cap, and of course his Lovelock fedora. Lovelock captures everything that Steve Moore loves about the world of soft rock, jazz, and possibly adult film scores, pre-video days(that’s debatable.) But what he does do when he’s in Lovelock mode is let the groove and mood lead the way.

The vibe of library music is at the heart of Lovelock, with it’s slinky drum grooves, in-the-pocket bass lines, tempestuous saxophones, and compressed guitar lines. And it’s all tight as a Steely Dan session from 1977. I’ve enjoyed all of the Lovelock work that Moore has put out, but I think my favorite might just be last year’s excellent Business and Pleasure.

The album was released on the great UK label Be With Records, and this was their description of the current Lovelock musical trip: “Steve Moore reprises his beloved Lovelock guise by presenting his unique riff on the library breaks genre. Business And Pleasure contains grimy groove and sleazy, funk-laden lounge music.“

That really says it all. Imagine being up late on a Saturday night in 1983. You’re watching some off the radar cable access channel that only comes on after midnight on some fuzz-drenched stop on the TV dial. Next thing you know you’re watching Phantasm, and during the commercial break there’s some slimy ad for ‘Don’s Discount Trench Coats’. A greasy looking guy that looks part Burt Young and Paul Vario is talking about his beautiful trench coasts made from imported mink and Persian lamb, all the while this groovy, funky music plays in the background. A mix of late-era disco meeting Steely Dan in a sordid, sweaty night club. That’s what title track “Business & Pleasure” gives off, and you are so there for it.

Elsewhere, “Last Call” has Latin percussion and early 80s electric piano seducing you into a late night hot tub tryst. And do I need to even describe “Slinky Strut”? Of course I do. Imagine Walter Rizzati, The Meters, and Alan Parsons getting together to score one final epic sleazefest by Joe D’Amato. It would sound just like “Slinky Strut”, folks.

There’s not a single pair of white loafers not on the dance floor for bangers like “First Class”. You know in some other universe there’s an “adult” version of The Love Boat and “First Class” is playing as Florence Henderson and Robert Culp retire to their cabin. Woof woof! And “Stank 49” needs to be used in some cosmic lovefest, and James Gang’s “Funk #49” needs to follow it. Why? Because I say so.

And someone needs to call Michael Mann because “Dangerous Man” needs to be in Heat 2. “Stinkbug”? “Win or Lose”? Absolute essential tracks for a desperate run from the law.

Listen, don’t just accept my words of adoration and unrequited love. You need to get Lovelock’s Business and Pleasure firmly in your ears and succumb to the groove, the rhythm, and of course that stank.

This one was super limited with no digital footprint, but hit this link and you can listen to previews of all the songs. Like a groovy, digital appetizer for your ears.