SONG FOR TODAY: Manchild and Kelly Jones

Rather excellent dance track from over a decade ago, featuring the vocals of Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics. Hoping their new album's going to be good... "Based in their adopted hometown of Cardiff, Wales, Manchild consisted of Max Odell and Brett Parker. Odell and Parker met at nursery school in Longwick, Buckinghamshire and made music together all through their teens. At 16, in 1990, they formed Confusion, an indie-dance outfit in the style of Bomb The Bass and Jesus Jones.

Manchild were formed in 1997, with influences ranging from Talk Talk to Iron Maiden, Ultramagnetic MCs to Ennio Morricone. "We don't adhere to any specific trend," said Odell. "That, more than anything else, is what's going to date music." They recorded their first demo in the summer of 1997, which Odell sent to various London based record companies. That summer also saw them play their first gig – an Under The Sun event at Cardiff University Union. The buzz around Manchild was increasing with over 35 A&R people turning up to the gig. The result was a two album deal with One Little Indian. They were spotted by The Prodigy's manager, Mike Champion, who soon came on board as the band's own manager. In 2000, the band hit the studio and with vocal collaborations from Kelly Jones (Stereophonics) and Andy Cairns (Therapy?) came the release of the critically acclaimed debut album 'Untied States', produced by former Jesus Jones singer, Mike Edwards.

2001 brought a Top 40 single in the form of 'Nothing Without Me', a dancefloor filler featuring Arianne Schrieber on vocals and the promise of a new album for March 2002, which was to feature a collaboration with Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins. After some research, it seems that Manchild split before their second album could be released..."