History has recognised the innovative brilliance of the Gang of
Four, but overlooked the Au Pairs' similarly significant feminist,
social-commenting agit-funk. Formed in 1978, the significance of
their two girl/two boy/lesbian/straight line-up was matched with
lyrics as brave as any from the post-punk period: tackling
subjects as then taboo as menstruation, tranquilliser addiction
and male domination. It's weird to think that only 20 years ago
Diet's "He works the car/ I wash the sink/ I'm not here to think"
was typical of many households and perhaps still is. This 2CD
anthology collects their two albums alongside sessions: their
music hasn't dated a jot. Like an imaginary collision of the Go4,
Slits and disco, topped by Lesley Wood's strident vocals, they
created to a heady, insightful femme punk funk that is ripe for
rediscovery.