by CHRIS BARRY

Ever been exposed to a fresh idea or concept that is simply so brilliant you can't help but ask yourself, "Fuck, why didn't I think of that?" And it actually bugs you for awhile, until you remember that you've never had an original idea in your entire life and perhaps shouldn't be so hard on yourself all the time, you might still hit on something clever before they lower you in to the ground? Of course you have.

It's a pretty safe bet though that these are not thoughts that enter into the consciousness of prolific German über-producer Uwe Schmidt, aka Atom Heart, all that often. Currently based in Santiago, Chile, Schmidt has most recently reinvented himself as Señor Coconut, a swinging Latin bandleader with a repertoire comprised primarily of cha-cha covers of fellow Teutonic songsmiths, Kraftwerk (though his latest efforts see him branching out to the works of the mighty Deep Purple, among others).

"I've always been aware that Kraftwerk songs were very classical compositions, German classical in a way," says Herr Coconut, "and the Kraftwerk trick was to reduce them to the most minimal weight. But in the end they are just very good pop songs. And when you interpret them to Latin music, this becomes more and more obvious."

So how have the Kraftwerk dudes responded to the project? Although the Señor's interpretations of their songs certainly stand on their own musically, there's no denying that they take the piss out of the band at the same time.

"They actually have a very good sense of humour," says Coconut, who admits he wasn't a huge fan of the band while growing up. "I've met Florian, he's come to our concerts, and he's a very humorous person. I always thought they were very serious, but they were such German stereotypes that you have to burst out laughing. And of course, what I am doing now with Señor Coconut plays on Latin stereotypes."

With Algorithm, Cobblestone Jazz and Lucien N Luciano at Metropolis on Saturday, May 31, 9pm, $30

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