'Viva Bugged Out!' (Jon Carter Remix)

A dance cd is only as good as the tunes the DJ picks.

If it's one of those interminable Ministry of Sound/Gatecrasher/Ibiza compilations, then familiarity really does breed contempt.

In the case of Mr Sara Cox, we have a collection of Latin and Brazilian rhythms that are both unfamiliar and keep you interested for the full 74 minutes. For the more mature discodancer, Mr Carter has finished off his mix with a track by Blue Rondo A La Turk (what's the chances of being able to predict that?).

I honestly can't tell the style of one DJ from another, but if Jon Carter can keep me interested in the records he's chosen for over an hour, then he must be doing something right! In case you're interested Bugged Out is a club where they play this sort of music!

Bit like the aforementioned superclubs, but without the huge commercial machine selling a lifestyle to the 'kids'. Possibly worth a visit to those of you who like to strut your stuff underneath the mirrorball.

Anthony Silson

Cee-lo - Cee-lo Green and his Perfect Imperfections

It doesn't bode well when the opening track is called (wait for it) 'Bad Mutha'. It's pretty much what you'd expect and will find a place in the heart of every ten to 14-year-old boy who thinks it's big and clever to swear.

Why do it? There isn't any need and I'm sure his mother wouldn't like it. But this track aside, the album is quite good. Cee-lo is in some way involved with OutKast and a collective called The Goodie Mob. So they probably all ride around on a bike together.

Sly Stone's stoned soul would be a good place to start when you try to think of comparisons. There are laid back grooves and there are horns and funkiness aplenty.

Apart from the abomination of the first track, there are many tracks which have earned this album the plaudit of 'quite good'. Super Chicken is a particular favourite of mine and would happily fit in on a Macy Gray album.

Mr Lo also takes out time to sing about his woman and few songs might have some references to narcotics in them. But the music is quite personable and there is a unique marrying of gospel and rap (possibly).

If you only buy one rap album this year and you're more interested in the music than a 'little con-tro-ver-see" then you might want to start here.

Anthony Silson

Counting Crows - Hard Candy

Counting Crows are one of those American rock bands who seem to have been around for years and teetered on major league success, but have never quite managed the leap.

Their mixture of rock, country, blues and folk has drawn comparisons with the likes of REM, and yet they still aren't perceived as an "alternative" group.

Hard Candy moves their sound in a similar direction to Michael Stipe and Peter Buck's nineties masterpiece Out of Time.

And there are times when singer/songwriter Adam Duritz really hits the spot with some heartfelt and damn fine tunes such as New Frontier.

However, there are occasions when the album becomes too polished and crosses the line into moderate rock dullness.

Duritz posses an unusual but not unpleasant voice and is unquestionably a talented songwriter, but he and the band are at their best when they strip their sound to the bare bones.

Hard Candy is an album that has a soulful centre, you may just need to taste it a few times to crack open the shiny exterior.

RICHARD BRUGGER

The Coral - The Coral

It must be something in the water but Liverpool has consistently produced top musical talent.

From the Fab Four to bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The La's and Space there has always been at least one band from Merseyside guaranteed to get the pulse racing.

The Coral - who hail from the seaside town of Hoylake - are the latest teenage sensation to get the music press all hot under the collar.

And listening to their brilliant eponymous debut album it's not difficult to see why as they combine all the strengths of their contemporaries.

What strikes you is the confident mixture of psychedelic rock and blues with brilliant pop hooks and a bit of ska thrown in for good measure.

And on songs like previous single Shadows Fall and the fantastic Dreaming of You the result is something recognisable, but also something totally new and refreshing.

Imagine the early Beatles meeting up with themselves in the era of Sgt Pepper and Strawberry Fields and you have an idea of the sound.

They may have big shoes to fill, but The Coral seem well capable of stepping into them and creating their own piece of history.

RICHARD BRUGGER