Many of the artists I discuss on Randy's Rodeo are, relatively speaking, popular. In general, I find that the cream rises to the top, and artists who really have something to say generally get their due - critically if not commercially. The obscurity of Jane Aire & The Belvederes is a glaring exception to this rule, and fans of early new wave owe it to themselves to hunt down the band's sole LP. Jane Aire, like Chrissie Hynde, was a native of Akron, Ohio (an early punk/new wave breeding ground), who traveled to England to seek her musical fortune. Her sojourn resulted in a handful of singles but only one LP, her Liam Sternberg-produced eponymous 1979 debut (Virgin UK).

To modern ears, the album may sound too polished; in truth, it's closer to power pop than punk. But, the performances are spirited and the songs (many written by Sternberg) are memorable. Jane Aire's voice is a big, impressive instrument, and she uses it unabashedly, unaffectedly, and unpretentiously in a way few female singers do anymore. When she digs into rockers like "Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache" or ballads like "Duke Of Love," she very nearly jumps out of the speakers and into your lap.

Jane Aire & The Belvederes has never appeared on CD, so you'll have to search for the LP). And, the band cut several non-LP singles, including their debut, "Yankee Wheels" b/w "Nasty... Nice" (Stiff, 1978) and "Call Me Every Night" b/w "Lazy Boy" (Virgin, 1979), which was written and produced by Liam Sternberg. Several years later, they released a version of the Dusty Springfield chestnut "I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten" b/w "Heat Of The City" (Stiff, 1982), produced by the Rumour's Bob Andrews. "Yankee Wheels" - not a particularly outstanding song, and wholly unlike their Sternberg-produced recordings - appears frequently on compilations like the Stiff Records Box Set.

By the way, the Belvederes were, in fact, a group in their own right actually called The Edge (not to be confused with the U2 guitarist). While they released some records under their own name - a few singles and one full album, Square 1 (1980) - they are most notable for what their members would later do. Most famously, drummer Jon Moss would join Culture Club and become Boy George's paramour, as well. And, keyboardist Gavin Povey played with Lew Lewis, an associate of Dr. Feelgood and Eddie & The Hot Rods who recorded one album for Stiff Records, Save The Wail (1979). Perhaps most impressively, however, guitarist Lu Edmonds would go on to play with dozens of forward-thinking acts, including the Damned, Shriekback, Billy Bragg, the Mekons, Kirsty MacColl, and Public Image Limited.