TANGERINE DREAM. The Bootleg Box Set Vol 1. Sanctuary CMXBX880
Over their many decades of performing live Tangerine Dream have released many live records and it seems from this box set that their fans have equally been busy with clandestine tape recorders. Somehow an accord has been reached between the fans and the band and this first tranche of seven officially sanctioned CDs is the result. The box contains five gigs that date from late October 1974 through to June 1976, and locations as diverse as Sheffield, London, Croydon, Bilbao and Berlin. In many ways these recordings represent the golden age of TD, with Edgar Froese, Chris Franke and Peter Baumann in the lineup, and highlight a band for whom every gig was an exercise in improvisation - it is only in the latter concerts here that the sequencers and some pre-programming start to appear and TD begin to move away from their cosmic ambience into something new. Make no mistake, these are real bootleg recordings and the audio quality reflects that - at the best they are earwitness documents, with all the attendant noise that microphones in the audience will pick up - though thankfully the 'yee-haw' factor is mercifully missing from most of these recordings. You are hearing what the fan in the middle of the auditorium was hearing. At worst, as on CD2 of the Bilbao gig one wonders why it was included as the audio quality is completely dire thanks to what sounds like severe tape degradation. The bottom line is that this box set is for the devoted fan and not the newcomer to the music of Tangerine Dream. These recordings are documents of work in progress, with many of the musical themes improvised here eventually evolving into material on their official Virgin albums of the time. On that level they are fascinating and indispensable. (John P)

KEN PARKER. The Best Of Groovin' In Style! Trojan
Ken Parker is widely regarded as one of the finest vocalists ever to emerge from Jamaica but despite this acclaim I'd never heard of him and I guess the vast majority of people are unaware of his works also? Judging by this compilation Ken Parker could have been a real big name but his decision to concentrate on gospel work in the mid 1970s undoubtedly stymied his potential. So what do you get for your money, a cd oozing with a sweet soulful tenor voice covering a variety of styles of Jamaican music including reggae, ska and gospel, "How could I" is the opening track which sets the tone of the album, with the vocal content sounding excellent. There are 25 tracks on the album and save for "Help me make it through the night" which could have been done better and the "The dynamic Ken Parker medley" which doesn't do it for me, the album has a great deal of quality. The tracks that do it for me are "It's alright" with simple lyrics and a "fastish" reggae riff, "Groovin' in style" which was made famous by UB40 and "take a message to Mary" which despite it's gospel overtones has a brilliant organ backing track fused with reggae and is sung absolutely beautifully. Ken also has a chance to add a bit of a country music twist with a cover of the Charlie Pride track "Kiss an angel good morning" and this makes the crossover as well. It's a great pity Ken Parker didn't become more prolific if this album is anything to go by..... this cd is definitely worth hunting down. (Mb)

VARIOUS. American Blues. Ptumayo Records PUT215-2
What an excellent collection of known and lesser so blues artists this is. Putumayo is a label that mainly specialises in 'World' music, but in and amongst their catalogue you'll find 'themed' albums featuring world artists, and this is one to definitely check out. Some of the more better known on here blister and burn through some slow, fast, moody and soulful music: Taj Mahal, Otis Rush, Solomon Burke, Eric Bibb and a duet with Robert Cray and Albert Collins. The artists I've not heard of include Henry Gray. Ruth Brown, Susan Tedeschi and Raful Neal. Needless to say, their contributions are nowhere near substandard, or 'fillers', indeed, they have, in some ways, a lot more to prove! 14 tracks in all, and I have to say it's one of the best blues compilations I've heard in a very long time. It also shows how diverse the genre can be - stunning. (Dw)

IGNEOUS FLAME. Intox. Chillfactor 10. CF10 03
Pete Kelly composed and produced these 15 tracks of ambient music at the Aurora Sound Studios in Leeds, not that far away from the base of this magazine. This I suppose is a true album to the genre, where the beats are below recordability and the sonic passages gently drift across the stereo as though they are destined to be filtered of all recognisable rhythms. This is not music for elevators, where no one listens, rather the exact opposite, as this inspired CD requires a lot of patience and hard mental agility to reap the best out of this work. It is quite difficult to choose a particular track and say that it's the highlight, because the album cannot be split up so easily and the enjoyment is derived from the whole. You may start to think that here's just a collection of gentle noises assembled in a way that would not frighten any living thing, but at times the strange is well above audibility on tracks like Once The Damage Has Been Done. You should not attempt to hurry through, as you'll need to allow just less than 70 minutes in isolation, perhaps with the lights dimmed to savour these sounds. Not mind bending, just thought provoking. (Brooky)

MARC ALMOND. In Session Volume One. Strange Fruit SFRSCD121
In 1982, Marc Almond's success with the excellent Soft Cell inspired him to find an outlet for his more artistic ideas and the result was a collaboration with Billy McGee and the classically trained Annie Hogan. Calling themselves Marc and The Mambas, they released the "Untitled" LP which gave Almond the freedom to try out a variety of musical styles - the LP included covers of songs by Jacque Brel, Scott Walker and Lou Reed. This was followed in 1983 by "Torment and Toreros", an album that provoked extreme reactions from all quarters. The Mambas parted after this second album and Almond collected together some more kindred spirits for his next project, Marc Almond and The Willing Sinners. An album "Vermin in Ermine" was released to critical acclaim, but shortly after, this group split up too. Almond carried on with a mixed solo career - patchy but fascinating pretty much covers this period. Which takes me on to this offering. This is the 1st volume of radio sessions recorded for the BBC. The first 4 tracks cover tracks from "Untitled". There's plenty of passion and grandness about the whole affair and Almond certainly flexes his vocal muscles. The second 4 (for John Peel) again sees the Mambas, together with a darker, brooding, scathing versions of "Empty Eyes" that's heard in the 1st session. There's also the flamboyant "The Bulls" - very camp and very Marc Almond! Overall , this 2nd session is quite intense, with touches of classical ("Once was") and classic pop ("Your Aura"). The final 4 tracks (for Muriel Gray) see the Willing Sinners in action. Once again, dark and disturbing, but listening to the lyrics highlights a sense of humour, no matter how dark and absurd. Yes, over the top at times, a melange of styles and an emotional rollercoaster of a ride (into the dark recesses of the soul) but nevertheless a quite superb album which reminds us once again just how good Almond was and could be. (Liam)

VARIOUS. Air Guitar III. Virgin.
Third (obviously) of the rather popular Air Guitar series, and whilst they aren't exactly definitive rock collections, they do contain some classic air guitar anthems. Seeing as though I never got volumes one and two, I can only surmise by the tracks on this one, that they also contained some marvellous anthems! Admittedly, if your tastes lay strictly in the 70s, then stay clear. However, if you do like to get the ol' rocks off to anything that, well, gets the rocks off, then this 'ere's for you. There's forty four tracks, twenty two per cd, so there's an abundant variety of styles and sounds. It's actually quite clever how, out of context, a lot of the songs here blend really well. For instance, Robert Palmer's Bad Case Of Loving You, and Offspring's Pretty Fly make strange bedfellows, but in this setting, they work! Basically, the premise behind these albums is power riffs, great power chords or some superb lead work, and even taking that into account, there's some great songs here. (Dw)

SHAM 69. At The BBC. Strange Fruit SFRSCD119
Bloody hell! Sham 69! I went to see them about 10 years ago for a laugh, and although it was great fun, it was depressing to see so many middle-aged punks trying to recapture their youthful vigour. Still, the raw energy and passion was there for all to see. The Shams were exponents of the 3-minute crash, bang, wallop that was punk. A couple of chords and shout out the lyrics (no matter how mad sounding) and you're there. Everybody even after 25 years will remember "Hersham Boys", "Hurry Up Harry" and the all-time classic "If the Kids are United". I doubt if many groups/bands around today will be able to have that claim to fame. Anyway, enough about all that. I'm going to assume you all know what there is to know about Sham 69 and so I'll just babble on about this release. The 1st five tracks are a session recorded for John Peel way back in 1977 (punk's golden year - discuss). "Borstal Breakout" will be familiar to you in this section. The remaining 9 tracks were recorded live at the Paris Theatre, London in early 1979 and includes a very rough and ready "Day tripper" (probably not how Lennon/McCartney intended it to sound!). Upon hearing these tapes for the first time since recording them, Jimmy Pursey proclaimed these versions of the tracks the best Sham 69 ever recorded. You can't give yourself higher praise than that! It just leaves me to wonder what other gems are lying undiscovered in the BBC vaults. (Liam)

VARIOUS. 50 Years Of The Greatest Hit Singles. Virgin.
As is often the case with compilations, you get what you see here. This double album contains loads (45) of songs going back quite a way. Bands and artists such as U2, Madness, Robbie Williams, The Clash, Smokie Robinson, The Animals, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Free, Shadows, Buddy Holly, The Seekers, Boomtown Rats, Gloria Gaynor and Cliff Richard. I haven't checked the original release dates of all the songs, but I don't think that each one represents a year, a lot seem to be from the 80s and 90s, but there is a pretty healthy selection that represents some of the biggest and best known singles from the last fifty years. I can't say that all the songs qualify for the best singles, but as I've said, in terms of sales, you've got a good looksee here. (Dw)

FORMBANK. Chillfactor 10 Records.CF10 04.
In this electronic music sphere, you'll find the work of Pete Kelly veer much more closely to the traditional side. His other side (Igneous Flame) deals in the true ambient sense, but here melodic trance is blended with electronic music to brighten up the world. The spectacular opening Track Tau3 sets the scene with a great riff and chord structures that meets the requirements of a serious listener. The next track has a dance beat, but this is not TOTP music for those innocent children rather this is for those who can appreciate quality. Twink is one of those pieces that surely must raise the blood pressure a little. I like Spark(le) much more, which is probably due to the complex rhythms and fascinating interplay between the competing sequenced notes. Less beat driven is the very beguiling Landscaping with its intricate mood enhancing melodies and sparsely used percussion. The much brighter and hence happier following track Fresh And Fruity whixh has a light beat and is quite fast, but is only used when required and the refrains are a welcome change. The finale features percussion, a mean bass and a subtle melody to prevent your attention from wandering. Its another great track called Sphere Of Influence from a very good album. (Philly)

VARIOUS. Super 60s. Virgin.
Not sure if having Tony Blackburn advertise this double cd will help, but a quick glance over what's on it might! I know there's a lot of compilations from the 60s, but it WAS an interesting time, not only for the variety but the history in the making kinda thaang. Forty eight tracks, twenty four per cd, mix and match the poppy with the arty, and even the psychedelic as well as some forgotten classics. Bands like The Lemon Pipers, John Fred & The Playboy Band, Jeff Beck and jeeeez, there's even the Plastic Ono Band, although it's spelt as The Plastic One band here! Not overly sure on this, but as far as I know there aren't too many sixties compilations that have John Lennon on? As well as these you get some regular stuff such as Gerry & The Pacemakers with I Like It, Helen Shapiro's Walking Back To Happiness, Tremelos Here Comes My Baby and Lulu with.... The Boat That I Row - hands up those of you who thought it was going to be Shout? Indeed, this is quite a decent album as it does have more than its fair share of classic tracks. (Dw)

THE WASPS. Punkryonics. Overground OVER100VP CD
The Wasps were one of London's earliest punk bands, having formed in 1976. They were also one of the first punk bands to tour nationally, in a typical punk style that saw them being banned from many a town. This was after a spectacular gig in Shrewsbury that saw the band playing behind a barricade of stacked chairs and with fireworks being thrown by the audience. Soon people were diving off the balcony and fights a-plenty broke out. The council branded The Wasps as "depraved". A number of singles were released in 1977, with "Teenage Treats" being reviewed as "great record" by none other than Bob Geldof in the NME. The band carried on for a little while but after signing to RCA (and they were hot property by now), a series of writs from former managers resulted in RCA pulling the plug on the single "Rubber Cars" (despite it being the biggest selling single of that week). The disappointment and legal problems caused the band to split. So what do we have here with this release? Well, there's the debut single "Teenage Treats", among others and the original demo version for the "Rubber Cars" single. Also included are 10 previously unreleased studio recordings. A 12-page booklet, by the Wasps frontman Jesse Lynn-Dean that includes unseen photos and detailed sleeve notes accompanies all this. If punk (definition: a loud, fast moving and aggressive form of rock music, popular in the late 1970s. Who needs a dictionary when you have me) was your thing then this will certainly appeal to you. (Liam)

RASAL ASAD. Asuna. Thisco. THISK13
I hadn't heard of this company before, but they specialise in ambient music. Portugal didn't seem to my way of thinking to be anywhere near the centre of experimental music, so my expectations were somewhat limited. After only 10 seconds had elapsed of the first track Ideosphre, I found myself becoming totally engrossed in the music which after the initial excitement left me wondering why I had made such a blunder in almost dismissing this as soulless without even playing the disc. Building on rich notes that have been sequenced to form a melody that almost hums within itself, this track develops into a wondrous mind grabber. After the great opener, I did not really expect things to get any better, but the second piece Potlatch is even more memorable than the first and I was almost tempted to replay it before listening to the third. I do like the way the music is assembled as it wakes the brain and more importantly keeps its attention. The vocal extracts or perhaps sermons that are placed on music are neither bland nor insipid. The sermon delicately placed on an ambient soundtrack that marks the finale is currently my favourite piece and must surely be an ideal candidate for other compilations or soundtracks. Generally the mood is quite uplifting and the impression given is that the CD did not last long enough, or was it a case that I just did not realise that time had passed so quickly during the forty odd minutes. This is apparently Rasal Asad's second CD on this label and if their first is anywhere near as good as this then it deserves much wider exposure. Little expectations deliver great instrumental music. I am very interested in reviewing more material from this label, as the quality from what I have only just discovered is exceptionally high. (Philly)

VARIOUS. Best Musicals In The World... Ever! Virgin.
Well, I have to be honest and admit that whilst I do have a pretty wide and varied taste in music, Musicals have always bypassed me. I just don't get it - even on the Simpsons, when they burst into song, it simply goes beyond my limit of reality. I just can't get it when folks start singing, and ... Enough! Out of context, sure, there's been some great songs, nay, classics released over the years, and happily, I can relate to that! This double set features quite a wide variety of songs from an even wider selection of shows such as West Side Story, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oklahoma, Wizard Of Oz, Summer Holiday, Phantom Of The Opera, Sound Of Music and Cats. Not being familiar with all of the shows and/or musicals, I do know that The Lion King is actually the musical, not the film, so Elton John it ain't! Apart from the odd one or two, most of the songs are the ones that you usually associate, say, Judy Garland, with Somewhere Over The Rainbow. An album, I guess, for your Mum, or fave Auntie? (Edgar)

999. Outburst! Demos & Outtakes '77-'79. Overground OVER95VP CD
Another punk offering from Overground Records, this time from 999. They are still going, still touring with a new album expected. They never called it a day and are still pulling in the crowds. The band themselves were conceived in late 1976. There were a number of singles released, among them "I'm Alive" and "Emergency". "Homicide reached the Top 40 despite a radio ban. To date, the band have recorded 12 studio albums and completed 15 USA tours, 92 London gigs, 29 UK tours and 21 European tours. An impressive tally. Recently, 999 expert John Connolly was given the task of cataloguing the band's extensive tape archive. In doing so, he discovered some long forgotten studio recordings from between 1977 and 1979. Plenty of demos and different versions of better known tracks and one track, "Solutions" that transformed into "Boiler". All these have been compiled into this 16 track CD, with a 12 page booklet containing rare photos and sleeve notes by frontman Nick Cash. Overground seem to be doing a sterling job of cataloguing all that was great on the early punk scene and there will be many fans who will certainly enjoy this offering. (Liam)

RMD Vs C + C MUSIC FACTORY. Sweat The Remixes. Megabop. 5024545260724
You may remember the C + C Music Factory from the last decade for their dancefloor anthems. Well the single that incidentally sold over 9 million copies has been modernised for today and these four remixes have found instant appeal amongst clubbers and DJ's alike. Dave Piece has used the Tribal mix to introduce his Radio 1 show and if that was not enough then Pete Tong has been entertaining the crowds far and near with this megatune. The opening track is the MMD Psycho Pop mix, which is closer to the original and has a great bassline, which should find favour amongst many. Most of the lyrics are spoken apart from the sung chorus. The MMD Radio mix is faster and has wide appeal. The Tribal mix is pure serious club music and has a low down dirty aspect. The last version sees an even more different soundtrack with a mix of breaks and house to please. If anything, this is the better mix, but then I don't quite have the appeal of Piece and Tong! (Philly)

VARIOUS. Rock n Roll Legends. Virgin.
Forty eight tracks (24 per cd) make up this lively little double helping of all that's rock and roll. Due to the fact that the majority of the tracks here are classics, most if not all will be well known. Some haven't been heard in a while, but what you basically get is a wagon load of juicy rockers, and one or two tasty ballads. Artists and bands that contribute to the proceedings include Bobby Darin, Big Bopper, Eddie Cochran, Neil Sedaka, Chris Montez, Beach Boys, Cliff Richard, Dion, Billy Fury, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and, of course, Elvis Presley. As to the lesser known, or rather the ones that ain't been heard in a while include Thurston Harris, Buddy Knox, The Regents, The Del-Vikings and Larry Williams. Like I say, a real rock n roll treat! (Dw)

VARIOUS. Country Ballads 2003. Virgin.
I know I harp on about how I'm not especially keen on Country and Western type music, but okay, I lied. Well, no, I DON'T like C&W, generally, is that better? Actually, this double cd contains some great songs, and at 24 on one, and 22 on the other, there's plenty to go at. To be honest, names like Eva Cassiday, Elvis Costello, Faron Young, Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Gentry and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band should raise some interest surely? I guess like Metal compilations, the songs vary to the extent where some could be classified as rock as opposed to metal. Well, there's a lot on here that have all the ingredients for 'that' country sound, but they don't, if you know what I mean. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but Olivia Newton John's cover of Dylan's If Not For You is a lovely version, and Crystal Gayle's beautiful You've Been Talking In Your Sleep - hey, this really isn't a bad little collection. (Clarence)

MOUNTAINEERS. Messy Century. Mute CDSTUMM222
A trio from North Wales who are now based in Liverpool and this is their debut album. The name psych-folk has been given to their genre of music and it’s not difficult to see why. Plenty of acoustic guitars, drums and bass hooks, together with much vocoding, sampling and a variety of tricks with loops. This can be heard in it’s full effect on “Belique Limb” – stuttering guitars and abrupt halts abound. To hear the opposite, you need to listen to “UK Theatre”, which touches the folk rock territory with a restrained drum beat and even a slide/steel guitar and highlights the very good vocals of Alex Germain. “Backgrounds” is just that – buzzes, loops, distorted vocals and effects throughout. The lyrics to the majority of the tracks are somewhat twee but I shan’t hold that against them. Comparisons have been made to the likes of the Flaming Lips and
the Beta Band which isn’t a bad thing, but of course they need to come out from under the shadows of others and follow a unique path themselves. Their songwriting isn’t too bad (and will probably improve) but it’s their experimentation that will enable them to take that path. Yeah, a compelling and far from average offering. (Liam)

MAGMA. Udu Wudu. Charlie snap160 CD
Magma certainly were/are a tour-de-force in the true sense of the phrase. Led by the enigmatic and classically-trained drummer, Christian Vander, they made a batch of fantastic albums in the 1970s and to say there was nobody like them is an understatement. Fusing a wide range of musics taking in classical, jazz, minimal styles, opera and a whole melange of sub-genres and points inbetween, they certainly left their mark on many a young mind and their influence can be traced up to the present day, especially in the Japanese underground music scene. To top it all, they even wrote and sang lyrics to their compositions in their own language...Zheul!, which is also the word they used to describe their music. The first album I heard was 'Mekanik Destrutiw Kommandoh', I had a mate in High School who was a complete fan, I liked parts of the album, but at that time I just couldn't get my head around it all. It wasn't until this 1976/77 album, the brilliantly monickered- "Udu Wudu" - when I fell under their spell. As with other groups/artists who have released large numbers of albums, you get alternate views as to which is their best era or album in particular. The last thing I want to do here is create a seething debate in Magmaland! Or is that Zheuland? Anyway, I would say this is one of their albums that provides easy access for those unfamiliar. The page opens on this fine work with the title track, a flourish of brass contemplates the endearing and oddball vocal line which is punctuated with some marvellous female backing vocals. The playing is fluid and uptempo and even the most lightweight progger will be ushered in to the magic. The production is really amazing and great care is taken to provide clarity, whether the moment is quiet or they are flying full throttle. It's great how catchy this material can be, especially as you don't have a clue what they're singing about! The track "Troller Tranz" is very odd with some spooky synth and voice interplay and some nice fuzz-bass from the brilliant Janik Top. "Soleil D'Ork" is all mysterious chanting backed with some chicken-strut funk that doesn't sound corny- quite a feat to accomplish in itself. "Zombies" further explores the chant and rhythm interplay and the use of that spooky synth quavering away lends it some intense input. But the track which I think is worth the price of the album alone is the majestic De Futura, a 17 minute classic which has a marvellous two-note bass guitar theme at the beginning section which sends you to other worlds but certainly keeps you anchored and attentive, for the moment! Let's not forget the man who made it all happen of course, Christian Vander, his drumming really is phenomenal throughout (as ever), but on this last track, he really does take your breath away. The overall delivery is superb by all the musicians. In my meetings with Magmaheads (there's one in every town you know!), they have dismissed this album as being virtually a Janik Top solo album and straying from the Magma course, but I think this is one of their best and the one which provides the key to enter their world for the first time, especially for younger folk who are discovering 1970s 'prog' for the first time. This CD reissue comes in an excellent digipack and some informative sleeve notes for newcomers by Bill McAllister. With each play, this music gets 'easier' every time and you can always delve further into their catalogue....but be warned....you can become addicted...... Thanks for letting me in again. Now just when is that Collins Zheul/English Dictionary going to be published?! (Jim Tones)

VARIOUS. Defected In The House. Defected.
With a total of 38 tracks on this triple mixed CD, you soon realise that this smooth compilation has been constructed with care by DJ Simon Dunmore, who heads the label. According to the press release, the first two CD's will give you a two and a half hour set of deep, soulful tunes that veer towards swinging Latin rhythms. You couldn't fail to be sucked in by the original mix of It's You It's Me by Kaskade featuring the sulky voiced Joslyn. The beat is always there, but it is a prerequisite for the slamming subtitle. It not all-new material as some house classic have been neatly interwoven. A typical example is by Jose Nunez, where Hold On is one of those progressive house tunes that slowly develops into a great dancefloor number. If you are partial to a little bit of Latin, then the first CD finishes with the album version of Nothing Is Impossible by Dubtribe Sound system, which infuses plenty of percussive riffs into an Eco-friendly sound. The bonus CD starts with Believe by Ministers De La Funk with the sermon fitting the title and the music being very sympathetic with the artist name. There is a tendency for some of these releases to be very similar, but here the variation is much greater with the consequence that a recommendation is assured. (Brooky)

DAVID BOWIE. Club Bowie. Virgin.
Nine tracks make up this rather strange album of so-called rare and unreleased 12" mixes. Not sure if early, or even mid to late Bowie fans will take to the remixes. A lot of the original tracks, the source, will be well known to many folks. Songs such as Let's Dance, Heroes, and China Girl. The Heroes track, or rather Just For One Day, was only recently released as a single although this is the extended version. I don't mind extended versions as long as they are extended with decent material, not just, to all intents and purposes, a damn long loop. Actually, the ninth track is a video of Bowie doing the Club Bolly Mix of Let's Dance. I don't reckon he loses any cred, indeed, as is often the case with Bowie, he is prepared to change directions and doesn't stay put for long. Sure, he's had some bad stuff out, and whilst this isn't exactly Aladdin Sane, it's not 'that' bad - a novelty perhaps? (Edgar)

JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH. Radio Shuttleworth 2. Chic Ken CD007.
This, I guess, is the follow up to the Beeb's Radio Shuttleworth that was released a few years back. Same setting, same format, and equally funny. I guess you'll either love or hate this as indeed Shuttleworth's humour is not quite on the fringe, but it's certainly different. Basically, what the premise is here is that John Shuttleworth runs a radio show from his home. Aided and abetted with the help of his 'wife' and 'manager'. He has proper guests on the show, such as Richard Whiteley, Barbara Dickson, Tony Hart and Matthew Kelly as well as John Otway, Bill Bailey, Hattie Hayridge and Stephen Frost. I have to admit that there is a certain amount of charm and believability to the show, all of which, I think, were broadcast on Radio 4. With the exception of his wife, manager and house, it's the just the guests who are 'real'. I think I first saw Shuttleworth on the Vic and Bob Xmas Special a few years back, and instantly took to the man. This double helping of four radio shows is just what the Doctor ordered, Superb stuff. (Dw)

PETER BLEGVAD. King Strut And Other Stories. What Records WHAT9 CD.
Must admit, up until recently (thanks to Ian) I'd not really given master Blegvad much time. This is the first official album I've actually heard, and I can tell you this - I shall certainly be checking out many more! Andy Partridge (XTC) and Syd Straw (Golden Palominos) help out on the odd track, but the majority of the material is all Blegvad's, and the man is a very well gifted songwriter. All the songs on here are superb, featuring catchy hooks, really pleasant and unassuming, with some great guitar in and amongst. Eleven tracks in all, especial stand outs being Northern Lights, the title track, On Obsession, Gold and Stranger To Myself. Obviously I've heard the man when he was in the Palominos and Slapp Happy, but like I say, I tended to overlook his solo work. As I've said, this is soon to be corrected. Not quite rock, not quite folk, very definitely superb listening. (Dw)

VARIOUS. My Malady. Mental Monkey Records MMR 004.
Seeing as though we're talking of 'themed' albums, this certainly is! Thirty three (!) tracks that (well, ninety eight percent) deal with medical condition or problems. Most of the artists are new to me, with the exception of Berkowitz Lake & Dahmer with their contribution, Gangrene. The beauty of experimental music of this nature is the simple fact that it either speaks for itself or it doesn't. Whether the track's title is a contributing factor on the listeners imagination is, and always will be, open for discussion. The fact remains, however, that a lot of the stuff on here is intense, pieces such as Epilepsy, Arthritis, Bad Bug, Yes I Had Gallstones, and Tinnitus. Obviously, some of the titles (and indeed the artists names) have picked names that beg for a medical dictionary, such as Ascariasis, Scoliosis and Trichotillomania! A couple or three of the tracks have been aired on John Peel's radio show, and he was rather taken with them. I myself tend to find the album fascinating and it's quite amazing just how broad and damn near endless the boundaries of music have gone. (Dw)

VARIOUS. 80's School Reunion. Virgin.
I don't think thi is the first 'school-related' compilation, and I'll bet it won't be the last! Well, let's face it, school's do a roaring trade! What makes this one stand out a little is the fact that it's actually a triple, so there's plenty of stuff here to bring back those memories. Mind you, you didn't have to be at school to appreciate many of the classics here. Each cd has 20 tracks, so 60 in all, ranging from those that haven't dated too well, to those that will last for a few more decades yet. Bands and artists include the likes of Kenny Loggins, Hall & Oates, Spandau Ballet, Adam And The Ants, The Bangles, Doctor And The Medics, Nena, Toni Basil, Ultravox and even ol' Cliff gets a look in. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed with the 80s, the majority of songs that use electronics now sound either dated or 'cold, so it was quite a surprise to find that there's still an almost limitless supply of great songs. Fair enough, a good cd's worth is instantly forgettable, but there's some real memory jerkers here. Almost every style is catered for, going from New Romantics, ballads, rock and roll, rock, dance and soul. Amazing to see the bands, and either what they went on to, or indeed, where they went! A great collection. (Dw)