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Double delight

3:26pm Thursday 12th October 2006

Ranging from the quirky to the bawdy: Teddington Theatre Club's Double Take, in the studio of the Hampton Hill Playhouse last weekend, illustrated that humour can take many forms.

The pop life of Brian

3:34pm Wednesday 4th May 2005

Brian Auger This Wheel's On Fire: The Best of Brian Auger (Castle) One-time Beckenham resident Brian Auger will always be known for AbFab theme This Wheel's On Fire, but as this 17-track best of reveals there's so much more to him than that. From mod classics such as Black Cat and Fool Killer to acid jazz inspirations Freedom Jazz Dance and Indian Rope Man, he has been a touchstone for Britain's underground R'n'B/jazz scene since the 60s. This rounds up all the best bits plus a smattering of single-only releases making it a must for casual music fans and devotees alike.

Kings and queens

3:32pm Wednesday 4th May 2005

Various Artists - The Kings and Queens of Country (Sony/BMG) This is an unashamedly populist comp aimed squarely at the squares. No harm in that when the quality is this high. Think of a country classic by a country artist and odds on its on here. So Dolly Parton's Jolene nestles with Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire, Tammy Wynette stands by her man and Kenny Rogers reveals the Coward of the County in 40 tracks across two CDs.

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Live: The Vicious Cycle Tour

4:04pm Wednesday 21st July 2004

With the Kings of Leon, Kid Rock and Oz cousins Jet taking on the mantle of southern rock, it's about time the likes of the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd got their due respect.

The Kinks – Village Green Preservation Society

4:03pm Wednesday 21st July 2004

There are certain 60s British pop albums which are fated to be anointed both classic and obscure. The Small Face's Ogden's Nut Gone Flake is one; The Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow is another. Both acclaimed upon release - and obliterated by rival era-defining cultural artefacts.

King Tubby's - In Fine Style

10:59am Monday 21st June 2004

King Tubby's - In Fine Style (Trojan Records) Album Out July 14.

Various Artists - Club Dread

10:57am Monday 21st June 2004

Various Artists - Club Dread (Sanctuary) Album Out July 5 A Penny Marshall Film. Starring Robin Williams. There are film tag lines designed to cut public opinion as surely and as irrevocably as cheese wire through prime cheddar. From the warped minds who bought you super troopers is one of those film tags. Lord knows what Club Dread will be like and my minds made up as well as your's. The film's saving grace could be this curious soundtrack.

Envoy- Shoulder2Shoulder

10:56am Monday 21st June 2004

Envoy- Shoulder2Shoulder (Soma) Album Out now Envoy is not afraid to reference the current dance floor craze for all things 80s in this varied set of soulful house grooves. Red Mist begins like New Order's seminal Blue Monday before mutating into something Visage would have done with Fade to Grey if Steven Strange hadn't lost the plot. It's a corker nonetheless. Move On sounds like Seal produced by Air, the rightside of tech-pop and a possible crossover hit.

Nicolai - Way off the Mark

4:17pm Friday 18th June 2004

Nicolai - Way off the Mark (Complete Control) single released June 7 Debut three tracker single from new Brit rock trio. This is an assured slice of modern rock: angular yet anthemic but not ashamed to be poppy. Expect great things from messrs Greer, Doherty and Lumb.

Various Artists - Detroit Soul: Real Soul Music from Motor City

4:10pm Friday 18th June 2004

Various Artists - Detroit Soul: Real Soul Music from Motor City (Unisex) Album The title's a misnomer. What it really means is a round up of the current cream of urban musicians in Detroit. Less concerned with their Motown heritage, the current crop step back to be-bop jazz, brazillian, and latin, and forward to drum and bass, hip-hop andeven ambient textures.

Lach -Today

4:08pm Friday 18th June 2004

Lach -Today (Fortified) Album Released June 14 This is the sprightly third album from Lach, the founding father of NY scene antifolk, which builds on Kids Fly Free. Lach's way with words betrays his twin loves of punk and poetry. There is also a heavy dose of politics, especially the current climate in America.

Various Artists - Disco Connection 2

4:06pm Friday 18th June 2004

Various Artists - Disco Connection 2 (Warner Brothers) Album Despite the oxymoronic sub-title 'authentic classic disco 1974-1981' (aw, come on, Disco was/is the most shallow and artificial of pop music genres - and I mean it in a good way!) this, the fruits of the latest sortie into Warners vaults, offers up a number of killer dancefloor tracks.

Various Artists - This is the Modern World

4:06pm Friday 18th June 2004

Various Artists - This is the Modern World (Universal) Album Just what makes a mod anthem? The funny thing about this bountiful compilation is the smattering of 70s revivalists like Secret Affair and The Jam among what is to all intents and purposes a 'best of' 6os and 70s pop and soul classics.

Kid Creole and the Coconuts - Too Cool to Conga

4:04pm Friday 18th June 2004

Kid Creole and the Coconuts - Too Cool to Conga (Snapper/Charley) Album "Get that stick from out of your behind!", urges August Darnell aka Kid Creole - the 70s NY scenster turned 80s UK hit maker. So lets party like its 1949. And why not? If Michael Parkinson can dictate the music scene to the masses (easy listening equals easy money) who am I to argue with the original arch retro-stylist if he's determined to grab a slice of the nu-jazz bonanza?

The Quireboys - Well Oiled

4:00pm Friday 18th June 2004

The Quireboys - Well Oiled (SPV) Album released June 7.