There will likely be no argument from TP readers that Talking Heads were one of the greatest bands ever. A dream rhythm section in Weymouth/Frantz, guitar / keyboards from Modern Lover Jerry Harrison, and an iconic frontman pushing the boundaries on the style front as well. What's interesting to me is how well they've lent themselves to covers, despite having such a distinctive sound. “It might be rock‘n’roll, but there’s something African to it." said Beninese queen Angélique Kidjo. Her take on Remain in Light is an essential record in this house. Nuphonic put out a nice one in the 90s--a groovy reimaging of "Born Under Punches" by the late Andy Williams's Fuzz Against Junk project, remixed with aplomb by DJ Harvey. The Staples take on "Slippery People is another essential record--with its call & response, it sounds like something from their own repertoire. Even Kermit the Frog donned an oversized suit for "Once in a Lifetime"

BBE has been teasing cuts from an upcoming Talking Heads tribute album Naïve Melodies curated by Drew McFadden. Drew was behind the BBE Bowie tribute Modern Love a few years back, and Naïve Melodies looks to be just as eclectic and forward-thinking.

First up, Kenny Dope and Róisín Murphy take on "Born Under Punches" and it's pretty nice. Kenny's production is percussive with kind of a dubclash echo thing overlay. Róisín does her thing, building on David Byrne's vocal inflections, ad-libbing ("Stop calling me a boomer, I'm a gen-x-er!"). But it's the dub you want--a quasi-reggaeton beat underpinning a moody vibe. Dub echoes to the fore, the bleeps and percussion dropping in & out; Róisín's drawl oozing out over the proceedings. Just a brilliant wonky reworking. It's nearly five minutes but you wish it were ten.

"Born Under Punches" is out digitally from BBE and can be found on Bandcamp.

Naive Melodies is out 14-October from BBE.