Nadine Sutherland - Call My Name
For some three decades (you wouldn't know it looking at her), music lovers have been doing just that for Nadine Sutherland. This highly personal and musically diverse set should ensure they continue to do so.

Pam Hall - Songs In The Key Of Dancehall
Hey if the repertoires of groups like Radiohead and Led Zeppelin can be reinterpreted in a reggae vein, then what's to stop vocal veteran Hall from spinning the likes of Broken Hearted Melody, Norah Jones' Don't Know Why and Too Good To Be True as dancehall gems. The beats may not all be up-to-the minute, but this 17-track project generally achieves it's stated aim and with Hall's vocal gifts, she can - as was said of Ella Fitzgerald - sing the phone book and make it swing.

Various Artistes - Wild Fire
The enterprising pair of Lion King and Kemist line up several of their musical friends to join them on an interesting, if uneven comp.

Donovan Gibbs - Amazing Grace
No, not the Amazing Grace of John Newton ("... that saved a wretch like me"), but the similarly oft-quoted He Looked Beyond My Faults And Saw My Needs done previously by the likes of Sanchez. This CD-single also includes a stirring rendition of another classic, secular this time: Bob Thiele's and George David Weiss' What A Wonderful World.

Dylan Murray - White Wing Roots
The 'White Wing of the title refers to the inner city community where Murray (a Red Stripe Big Break alumnus) is domiciled, and it's remarkable that a Canadian can comfortably put down roots in a Kingston ghetto. Even more remarkable is the stylistic and thematic range of this enjoyably endearing disc. There's everything from the morality tales Money Thing and Babylon Will Fall to the breezy romance of I Love The Way You and the good-natured randiness of Batty Ryda Raid. A new artiste that is definitley taking flight.

Roy Young - Memphis
Unlike Dylan Murray, Roy Young was born in Jamaica, but having left the island for the UK just as our local music was about to breakthrough internationally, Young earned his own breakthrough overseas, and did not return until he was billed on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival this past January.

Now resident in Israel, Young brings a baritone rich and raspy with experience to Memphis, an intense, gimmick-free collection of blues, rock and other influences that becomes more essential with repeated listens. Local musicians of today take note: this is how it's done. (see this Thursday's Observer for a feature on Roy Young)

....and one DVD Better Must Come

Despite transposing the slogan forward a few years (the film is set in 1976; 'Better Must Come' was coined by victorious political candidate Michael Manley in 1972) director Storm has fashioned a highly admirable - in spots compelling - political short highlighting the turbulence and duplicity that mark our political process.

American Roger Guenevor Smith (A Huey P Newton Story) delivers the goods as the prime minister's avatar while Everaldo Creary (Candy Shop), as one of three hired guns, demonstrates - with hardly a word spoken - that he is more than a comedy novelty. This film is one to watch, in all senses of the word.

Mothers can't father

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'