Music

Aloe Blacc - Good Things: I'd read the rave reviews this got when it came out and would have to say they were pretty much spot on. Excellent soul music with touches of Beatles in their amongst other things.

Cherry Ghost - Herd runners: Another consistently decent album from the Manchester based outfit, the only criticism would be, the lack of a really memorable tune or two. They don't hit the heights as say I Am Kloot manage to do.

Imelda May - Tribal: The fourth solo album from Irish rockabily rocker, if you've liked her last couple of albums, you won't be disappointed, it follows the same winning formula.

Lee Fields - Emma Jean: Hot on the heels of the excellent Faithfull Man, the US soul man continues to find his mojo with his latest release.

Mr Scruff - Friendly Bacteria: Another excellent mix of tehcno/jazz/ hip hop and the rest from one of Manchester's finest.

Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal: Not as good as their last album which was a bit of a belter, but it's a decent indie/rock enough album.

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott - What have we become: I liked the Housemartins but was never that keen on The Beautiful South, so when i read the good reviews that garnered i was tempted to give it a miss. Glad I didn't because it's one of the best albums I've heard this year.