CD-Charts Position 1
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Buena Vista Social Club

by: Buena Vista Social Club, Ry Cooder

Release Date June 09, 1997
When the lights came up in the cinema where we saw Wim Wenders' movie of the same name, we saw grown adults weeping. This is more than a band, it is a musical phenomenon. Such a synergy is rare in this day and age, and the vibe on this album is just fantastic.

Buy it and weep, because you have missed your chance to ever see or hear Ruben Gonzales, Compay Segundo or Ibrahim Ferrer playing live with the band again, but the remaining members still tour and the band is organic, progressing through the years with younger, equally talented musicians, so if you see a gig advertised and can get to it, don't miss it! This album has changed many lives...

CD-Charts Position 2
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Version

by: Mark Ronson

Release Date April 16, 2007
This album should just not work..... but it does. I had the same feeling when the Scissor Sisters covered one of my all time favourites... Comfortably Numb, I wanted to hate it, but the version was so good I couldn't. The one track I dont like is Pretty Green, but apart from that I loved the originals of these tracks and in some cases I like the covers even more. The highlight (not the obvious Amy Winehouse track) is Stop me, how you can merge the Smiths into 90's dance music, I dont know?..... Mark Ronson does!

CD-Charts Position 3
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Superbad Funk and Cinematic Soul

by: Various Artists

Release Date July 31, 2006
This album should just not work..... but it does. I had the same feeling when the Scissor Sisters covered one of my all time favourites... Comfortably Numb, I wanted to hate it, but the version was so good I couldn't. The one track I dont like is Pretty Green, but apart from that I loved the originals of these tracks and in some cases I like the covers even more. The highlight (not the obvious Amy Winehouse track) is Stop me, how you can merge the Smiths into 90's dance music, I dont know?..... Mark Ronson does!

CD-Charts Position 4
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Favourite Worst Nightmare

by: Arctic Monkeys

Release Date April 23, 2007
The acne ridden 'rockers' return for yet more monotonous bile. Is it me, or do ALL their songs sound the same? 'Brianstorm' is possibly the most uninspiring piece of music I've heard to date. They should try something new if they are to get any respect from me. Why not try orchestras or real singalong anthems, while still keeping the 'rock' tag. If these guys seriously want to become the new Oasis, then they will have to put some imagination and emotion into their songs, rather than this... well I was going to say music, but I just can't call it that.

However, saying that, this isn't exactly their 'Morning Glory', is it?

CD-Charts Position 5
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Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer

by: Ibrahim Ferrer

Release Date May 24, 1999
From the first track 'Bruca Manigua' (which you will replay over and over) to the last. This album is simply Unbelievable. I only discovered Buena Vista with the free Movie cd with my Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago and Ibrahim Ferrer is just an undiscovered Legend in my books. Well, up till the last few years of his life. GET THIS!!!

CD-Charts Position 6
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Cuba - Cafe Cubana: Guitars Cigars and Cadillacs: the Greatest Cuban Music

by: Various Artists

Release Date February 11, 2002
I wanted some music to relax to, something different to the many chill out albums on the market at the moment. And what better than something that reminds you of being on holiday! Lazing in a small bar by the beach, cocktail umbrellas and lime topping every drink. I love it. The smell of the air and light breeze making the candle lamps shimmer. This is exactly what this album says to me. The songs are similar all the way through, with the bongos, pianos etc, yet different in there own little way. It is a peaceful album which also contains a bit of fun and spice. Perfect for those barbeques in summer at home.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Seventh Tree

by: Goldfrapp

Release Date February 25, 2008
For all those who loved Felt Mountain and were horrified at Goldfrapp's complete departure from it with 'Black Cherry' (well, I was horrified, anyway!), you're sure to enjoy this album.

I guess it's unreasonable to expect any band to keep churning out the same material - except for Status Quo who got away with it for years, how I do not know. So I would describe 'Seventh Tree' as a beautiful return to Goldfrapp's original album, but with a slight difference. It is not as dark as Felt Mountain can be in places, but every bit as deep. I would also say it's the most gentle work Goldfrapp has produced.

In short, if you loved Felt Mountain (and loathed Black Cherry) you will love this album.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Sleep Through The Static

by: Jack Johnson

Release Date February 04, 2008
I'll get straight to the point here: very, very boring and samey. Ordinary to the max. Die-hard JJ lovers will probably lap it up, but others - myself included - who expected something a little more hype-worthy and out-of-the-ordinary, will be left with a kind of blank "Oh, so that's it" expression on their faces if they didn't pay for it, and a sour taste in their mouths if they did. Try before you buy.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Radio 1 - Established 1967

by: Various Artists

Release Date October 01, 2007
A collection of classic tracks from the last 40 years as covered by many current rock & pop 'darlings'. Sounds great, right?!

Sadly, this fails to push any of the right buttons. You'll find a mixture of drab, straight, unimaginative takes on 90s pop/rock (Mutya's version of Fast Car, Editors version of Lullaby) and some messy, angry, kiddy-tantrum versions of 80s classics (Gossip do 'Careless Whisper', Pigeon Detectives do 'The Power of Love'). Murdered classics from the 70s and late 60s are also in abundance, with The Feeling, McFly and The Kaiser Chiefs all doing their worst.

If sounds like your bag, then go right ahead. Personally I'd rather listen to a pneumatic drill for two hours. Absolutely dire.

CD-Charts Position 10
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19

by: Adele

Release Date January 28, 2008
Having now heard her album, to compare her to Lily Allen is a travesty. Adele is far better, her smooth voice and song writing skill for starters...

And whilst we're on the subject of comparisons, there's only one similarity to Amy Winehouse - and that is I love both of their albums, when my expectations were low.

Daydreamer: A chilled, melodic start to her debut album, but on first listen you kinda want to skip it to speed up your new listening experience. This is definitely one of those tracks you have to listen to a few times. Vocally she is very good.

Best For Last: Sounds quite bluesy, simple yet effective guitar backing throughout the beginning. Then the song gets going, catchy, warming and just simply easy to listen ... Read More: