Taken from The Sunday Mail

IT would be a rock 'n' roll marriage made in Heaven - a supergroup starring Franz Ferdinand and their heroes, Roxy Music.

I can reveal Franz want to play with the legendary band, led by singer Bryan Ferry and guitarist Phil Manzanera.

And when I met Phil last week he claimed Roxy are well up for a collaboration.

He said: "Alex Kapranos sent a message saying if Roxy ever fancied playing with them to get in touch. I'd be thrilled to have a jam with them.

"In the 70s, I felt Roxy were carrying on the music tradition of The Velvet Underground. Now, Franz have grabbed the baton from us.

"I don't think they sound like Roxy but there are lots of similarities in the concept of the band.


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"The guitar riffs and the lyrical content of their songs is amazing. They also have a very strong look - in the way Roxy did when we started out."


On October 24, Phil releases his superb new solo album, 50 Minutes Later, which features guest appearances by his Roxy mates Andy Mackay, Paul Thompson and original keyboard player, Brian Eno.


He told me: "It was good fun to play with Eno again. We did a three-hour jam session and it sparked off ideas for several songs."


In his spare time, Phil has been co-producing a new solo album by Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd.


He's also recording tracks with Ferry for a new Roxy album - their first since Avalon in 1982.


Phil said: "It's exciting to do another Roxy album but we're very aware it's got to be really good.


"We've had a great time playing live and there's absolutely no reason why we can't do some great recorded work too