ESG – Keep On Moving (Vinyl)

South Bronx sister-actESG are one of those groups to whose name the words ‘the legendary’ is so routinely attached as to risk frightening off those who are preparing to enjoy their music for the first time. But newcomers to the sublimely brutal and yet emotionally expansive sound of the daughters of Helen Scroggins should not allow themselves to be put off by the heady musk of mythology that surrounds them.

Yes, siblings Renee, Marie, Valerie and Deborah (the latter now superseded by Renee and Valerie’s own daughters Nicole and Chistelle) were brought instruments by their mother in the hope of keeping them off New York’s meanest streets while growing up in the late 1970s. And the enticingly sparse and vibrant music they made with them did become a unique four-way intersection between punk, funk, house and hip hop – as the Scroggins sisters shared bills with PiL, the Clash and Grandmaster Flash, released a landmark single (‘You’re No Good’) on Factory Records, and were ceremonially flown to Manchester to perform at the opening night of the Hacienda.

But what really matters about ESG is how great this new album sounds right now, fully 25 years on.

Neon Orange Vinyl version

Tracklist:
Purely Physical 6:21
Keep On Moving 4:14
Insane (Tambourine Mix) 2:57
The Road 6:14
I’d Do It For You 3:00
Everything Goes 4:08
Ex 6:33
Insane (Bass Mix) 2:57
Gimme A Blast 6:04