Three disc compilation from Ed Kuepper's Oz experimentalists

After leaving The Saints in 1978, former Ed Kuepper formed Laughing Clowns, who were so radicallly different from the Aussie punk iconoclasts that they were greeted with bewilderment, if not hostility. Hardly surprising given that Kuepper claimed Archie Shepp and Tony Bennett as inspirations. The extensive use of piano and saxophone saw them labelled jazz-punks, but this collection of their complete recordings – with introduction and track-by-track notes from Kuepper – reveals the Clowns as impassioned innovators rather than just an Australian Rip Rig And Panic.

4 (out of five) stars

Sharon O'Connell