Burns & Dolphin – Pick 'n' Mix

 

Burns & Dolphin – Pick 'n' Mix.

By Pete Clemons

Dennis Burns and Leigh Dolphin are not exactly household names. That said, you may have heard bands they have played in. Both Dennis and Leigh are musicians and songwriters from Nuneaton, Warwickshire known for their work both as a duo and with various local bands. Among them, and possibly most notable, was Fresh Maggots.

Leigh was part of the folk duo Fresh Maggots (along with Mick Burgoyne) in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The duo was known for their unique sound and a variety of instruments including guitars, glockenspiel, tin whistles, and strings.

Dennis Burns was originally a roadie for Fresh Maggots and later joined them (along with Leigh Dolphin and Mick Burgoyne) to form the band "Flood" in late 1970, where he played lead guitar and provided vocals. Flood, incidentally, also included Mike Adler and Dez Warren on the drums. Dennis also appeared with bands such as The Mix and Urge.

Well, they don't need those bands any more. Not that an association with them is any way something to be ashamed of. Far from it. This is an entirely different project. And they have completely made this on their own.

More recently both Dennis and Leigh have performed as a duo, known as "Burns & Dolphin" or "DBXLD". They have released music under this name, such as the track "Don't Come That With Me" which just happens to be the opening song of their recently released album titled “Pick 'n' Mix”.

Dennis along with son Nick on drums have been recording songs written with Leigh that emerged initially during the late ‘70s through to the early ‘80s. And yes, there is little doubt when you hear them, these songs do have a nostalgic feel to them as, throughout the album, different eras seem to spring up in your mind. And that is no bad thing. This album is an undiscovered gem and a remarkable time capsule of sorts.

On “Pick 'n' Mix” the pair deliver the goods throughout this entire collection. The songs within it are impressive and satisfying in every way. Everything about it appears to come together so smoothly. The songs, admittedly a little eclectic at times, work together with sensitive empathy and understanding.

I asked Dennis if this was an album of unfinished business. He replied saying it was “unfinished in the sense that there are 2 more albums to go”. Such, I guess, is this vast depth of the vaults. Around 40 of them, according to the booklet.

The hope is that key players such as music supervisors who select music for TV and film pick up on these songs for placements in shows, movies, ads, and games. With the music business being what it is nowadays, this is a crucial income source beyond streaming and the selling of physical copies.

However for those such as me who are old hat and still prefer physical product, the "Pick 'n Mix" CD is a limited-edition run. It was released by this Pontefract based duo during November 2025 and features 11 original, genre-blending tracks. The CD also includes an eight-page printed leaflet booklet with a bio, lyrics, photos of the artists, and an artist credit list. It is available for purchase via their Bandcamp page. There are possibly gigs to come in support of this venture.

https://burnsdolphin1.bandcamp.com/album/pick-n-mix-2