ALBUM: The Charlatans -- Songs From The Other Side

THERE is an unmistakable Charlatans sound to this collection of B-sides.

The 16 tracks are peppered with the "Manchester" sound that also brought us the Stone Roses, and while there is some good stuff here, it is not a must-have album.

The DVD collection Just lookin' 1990-1997, on the other hand, is a different matter. Both out Monday.

***

Phantom Planet, The Guest, Out Monday, Epic

CALIFORNIA here we come! At least, that's the feel of this Beach Boys-type of positive energy, called California, with its Travis and Stereophonics sound.

It's all a bit samey until you reach Hey now girl, which begins with an electronic sound before reaching its peak with heavy guitar and drums.

Next, we have Nobody's fault, with its Queen Don't stop me now beat.

There is a fine line between having a distinct sound and everything sounding the same and this lot have crossed it.

Tetra Splendour, Splendid animation, Out Monday, Chrysalis

HOW to win friends and influence people.

With lines like "If I defecate on you, will you smile?" that clearly wasn't on the agenda. It isn't the best of songs and the lyrics don't help.

The song of the album is Bless my soul, which sounds like Lo Fidelity Allstars' belter, Sleeping faster, which redeems things slightly for the south Wales four.

ALBUM: Various -- Pure Cinema Chillout, Virgin

HATS off to Virgin's compilation department again. Forget popcorn and hot dogs, this is Martini and candles time!

Sit back, relax, and take in some of the best cinema scores of all time. Things kick off with Newman's Any Other Name, from American Beauty, and CD One ends with Strauss's The Blue Danube, from A Space Odyssey.

And you couldn't leave out Elgar, Bach, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. Out now.

****

Various artists

Guitars, saxes & more ... Jazz fm records

THIS is a 32-strong celebration of smooth jazz, opening with Richard Elliott's cover of Stevie Wonder's Until you come back to me, made famous by Aretha Franklin.

There is a new version of Marvin Gaye's Mercy, mercy me by Jeff Golub, Jose Feliciano offers Light my fire, and Trina Broussard's Sailing.

There is a real mix of the fast and furious to the laid back and relaxed.

We have five copies to give away. To win, answer this question: Which Doors' hit does Jose Feliciano cover? Send answers to Mike Crutchley, Jazz fm competition, Bury Times, PO Box 1, Market Street, Bury, BL9 0PF by Friday, May 24.

Rush, Vapor trails, Released Monday, Atlantic

BACK after five years, Rush open with the fast-paced One little victory and Ceiling unlimited.

Ghost rider begins slowly but you can sense it is building up to something, before it bursts into energy.

While I know one Rush fan who will disagree with me, it's all a bit samey and nothing really stands out.

Sorry, Terry.

ALBUM: Ian Van Dahl -- Ace, NuLife

UNTIL I heard this, I would have said I didn't know a single Ian Van Dahl track. It's the type of thing I would normally dismiss as heavy club/dance music, and walk straight to HMV's rock section.

Like Ronseal, the Intro does exactly what it says on the tin -- prepares you for what is to come, before launching into the current hit, Reason, and old favourites such as Will I? and Castles In The Sky.

As a non-dance music fan I was impressed. Out Monday.

Teen has a lot to offer

Nikki Webster, Strawberry kisses, Out Monday, BMG

FOURTEEN-year-old Nikki Webster could well follow fellow Aussie Holly Valance to the top of the charts in the not too distant future.

Unphazed by performing with Michael Jackson, and at the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, her debut single is a good'un, with a Fine Young Cannibals She drives me crazy sound to it.

She has a very powerful voice, it's a catchy tune and there's no reason her success Down Under won't be emulated here.

SINGLE: Ronan Keating -- If Tomorrow Never Comes, Out Monday, Polydor

THIS isn't as upbeat as Rollercoaster, what with its poignant message about the things you'll never be able to do again if you popped your clogs.

In a nutshell, Ronan is telling us not to put off today what we might not be able to do tomorrow. Moving, but a bit rubbish.

**

Michael Crutchley, The Reelists, Freak mode, Released Monday, Polydor

THE tables are certainly turned here as we find a woman urging her man on in the bedroom.

Well, the living room, and according to the band, this actually happened to a friend of theirs. No doubt he'll be glad they kept his secret safe by releasing it as a single!

Anyway, the bloke isn't as eager as male egos tell you he should be and this is a tongue-in-cheek tale of the incident, telling him to get into "Freak mode".

And there's a Craig David feel to the proceedings as the song unfolds, story-like.