Reviews by Chris Charles

ALBUMS

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE BBC SESSIONS (MCA)

The guitar's the star on this awesome 30-track feast. The axe sounds sharper than ever as the world's greatest guitarist, aided and abetted by Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell and Alexis Korner, takes us on the ultimate TV/radio experience. Some things old, some things new, some things borrowed and everything blues from Purple Haze and Hey Joe (x3) to the phenomenal Driving South and the crazy cover of the Beatles' Day Tripper. The legend lives on.

SHED SEVEN LET IT RIDE (Polydor)

Funny old lot, the Sheds. They spend years treading enough water to keep their Britpop bid afloat, then, all of a sudden, they become almost hip. Full credit to them for stickability, this third album is far superior to the previous two but they still haven't managed to find their own identity. She Left Me on Friday is Blur, Let It Ride is The Stones and The Heroes is Supergrass. I could go on. But If Rick and his clique can build on songs like Return, there's still hope.

Shed Seven in Concert

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS ADORE (Hut)

You WOULD buy a used car from this man. In fact, you would sell Billy Corgan your grandmother if he wanted her badly enough - such is the compelling, hypnotic nature of his soothing tones. After a traumatic period which has seen death, divorce and departures, they have still managed to produce an album fit to follow the magnifique Mellon Collie. Adore nods to Depeche Mode, The Cure & Led Zep along the way but is ultimately 100% Pumpkins and 100% adorable.

MADNESS THE HEAVY HEAVY HITS (Virgin)

You just can't keep a good band down. As Suggs and Co prepare to drag their weary bones back to Finsbury Park for the 451st Madstock, it seems only fitting to swell the bulging coffers further with this essential selection. Unlike your average 90s greatest hits album (two hits and 13 songs you've never heard of), this is truly definitive with 20 top 20 tunes. As the summer shapes up for a full-on ska-fest, this should earn them a bob or two. There is method in their Madness.

ENGLAND UNITED (HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE) ON TOP OF THE WORLD (London)

A ball has not yet been kicked in anger, but the race for the REAL World Cup is up and running. Step forward Spice Girls, Echo and The Bunnymen, Ocean Colour Scene and Space for the OFFICIAL England song. Officially the most dreary, that is. Someone should tell Ian McCulloch that football songs and guitar solos just don't mix. Terrace chants and passion are the order of the day. Bring out the "Vindaloo"

Tommy takes time off from England duties to reclaim the centre stage spot he was surely destined for. The self-confessed "phoney Valentino" camps it up once more on this the third single to be taken from the formidable Tin Planet. On this occasion he appears determined to "kill for love" as the paso doble crashes around his ears. And if this is anything to go by, he'll remain undefeated for years.

ELTON JOHN IF THE RIVER CAN BEND (Mercury)

As a devotee of the philanthropic pianist, I am keen for this record to quieten those who feel his modern music lacks the diversity of the early 1970s. A classic Elton rock ballad verse gives way to a dramatic rousing chorus which is enhanced by a backing gospel choir. The song will be aired in live form during the upcoming Billy Joel gigs. Bonus tracks give you a chance to head back to the good old days with some favourites specially recorded earlier this year.