2023 / A Few Favourites / Rocky / X-Press 2

Back in the early 1990s, Darrens Rock and House, aka Rocky & Diesel, soundtracked some of my best nights out, at Covent Garden party, Ophelia, and before that, The Yellow Book. In 2023, they released their first long-player in over a decade as X-Press 2. The album, Thee, came care of Acid Jazz, and birthed the brilliant single, Phasing You Out, which also picked up a bonkers, full-on David Holmes remix. The Darrens returned the favour by delivering an ace acid rework of David’s Yeah X3. Doffing their chapeaus to Mr. Fingers. They also transformed David Kitt’s Eno-esque ballad, Til The End, into a bona fide modern day Balearic Beat.

Rocky has always been super supportive of Ban Ban Ton Ton. A nicer clubland bod you couldn’t hope to meet. His smile is legendary. Here he runs down a few of his favourite tunes, plus one very special live moment, from the last 12 months.

Super selections by Rocky, from X-Press 2