Speed Toys

The Toys of Men is a mature work from an artist who’s got nothing left to prove, and is the closest thing to a fusion album Clarke’s released since the inconsistent collaborative effort Vertu (Epic, 1999). A far more satisfying disc, it’s a career consolidation of sorts, with Clarke also delivering a series of lyrical solo acoustic bass miniatures, referencing past efforts while, at the same time, playing with considerably more restraint.

The TOY EP You’ve Got It Made With All The Toys) features the previously unheard “Shadow Man (Vocal and Piano Mix)”, an alternative, stripped-back mix of the TOY album track, along with the unreleased live versions of “I Dig Everything” and “The London Boys” recorded at the final Glastonbury warm-up show at the Roseland Ballroom, New York on 19th June, 2000. The EP also contains three tracks, “You’ve Got A Habit of Leaving (Radio Edit)”, “Silly Boy Blue (Alternative Ending Mix)’ and “Can’t Help Thinking About Me (Live Mark Radcliffe Show BBD Radio 1 Session), previously only available as streaming singles and which are making their physical debut.