This column reviews albums & singles released worldwide (i.e. not in a particular country). If your company wants an album reviewed on these pages, then you should read this. If you are in an unsigned band & you'd like your demo tape or CD reviewed, you should go here instead.

A very interesting collection of tracks, with an equally interesting collection of press behind it. Depending on which version you choose to believe, this is either the reclamation of some fantastic tracks which were recorded during the 1960s, or an elaborate way of musician Roger Klug, pouring out music under assumed names. Either scenario is easily believable & without the ability to thoroughly research which is the truth, We may never know.

Whatever the case may be, this is certainly a fascinating collection of songs. One of the outstanding numbers here is the stunning "Sport Utility Vehicle", which could easily be mistaken for a Beach Boys number. This is the track which really makes me think that it's actually Roger Klug behind the whole project, because of the mention of CDs, which weren't invented for a long time after this was supposedly released.

Other tracks like "Never Gonna Get Married" turn more towards a Supremes style, while some of the others like "Frat Rock" & "He Got Bored With Me" take a life of their own. Closing out is one of Roger's own tracks, "Where Has The Music Gone?", which is another great track & follows some of the style of his other music. Definitely worth your while whether you believe this is as the liner notes say it is or not. If it's a hoax, it's very very well executed, but still an outstanding collective of songs.

For more information, write to Mental Giant Music, PO Box 9400, Cincinnati, OH 45209, USA or mgiant@one.net

KINGFLY - AQUAMARINE SCENE

A New York based band which is basically driven by duo Anand Gan & Doug Davis, who have put together their second album of great melodic rock with a poppy attitude. Although I haven't heard their previous release, judging by the sound of this album, there's a lot to be found out about this band.

The band travel some very diverse paths musically, citing influences as far spread as Neil Finn, XTC & the evergreen Lennon/McCartney partnership which has probably inspired more artists than any other. A perfect representation of the band's style is in opener "January Row", which brilliantly showcases the band's guitar style & of course the vocals.

Personal favourites were the acoustic version of "For Mrs White" & "Real Sour Soul", though right up there is "Thought Of It All", which makes a slightly different listening experience than some of the others here. If you've liked any or all of the influences mentioned above, you'll certainly love the elegance of Kingfly's music.

For more information, write to Dingply Records, 549 2nd St #1, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA or kingfly@kingfly.net

LYNCH MOB - SMOKE THIS

I vaguely recollect the name George Lynch & judging from the press guff that accompanied this album from the band's US label, George is actually a well-known guitarist. Whatever the case is with the rest of the band, there's definitely something exceptional about this band's music. About the best way to describe the sound is to imagine if you will, what it would sound like if you mixed songs from Faith No More, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince & Limp Bizkit together. The end result would be something a little like what we get here, which crosses so many genre borders it's dizzying.

Running the gamut of full on rock, some metal & a healthy helping of hip hop styling, Lynch Mob certainly put together a set of great songs here. Pick for me is the title track, which closes the album out, but the raps & general percussion work is outstanding & really makes the track as forceful as you can get.

Other standouts for me include most of the darker edged numbers like "Chromeplated", which really reminded me of the sound of Limp Bizkit, plus the brilliant "Beg" as well as the more funky "Get It Together", though another big favourite which will easily stand repeated listening is "Hollow". Definitely worth your while checking this fabulous album out.

For more information, write to Koch Records, 740 Broadway NY, NY 10003, USA or kochrecords@kochint.com

ROGER KLUG - MAMA, MAMA, ICH BIN IN DEM LA LA LAND / TOXIC & 15 OTHER LOVE SONGS

First impressions are always important & the first impression I've gotten about Roger Klug's music is that it's quite amazing & deserves all the attention it can get. His US label sent 2 of his albums for review & I'm sure as hell glad they did. There's an astounding number of great songs here, with the first album being more on the conventional side of things, the second being a real evolution of sounds.

First up, with the Mama, Mama album & we're treated to some excellent material, this one coming from 1995 & having a reasonably traditional rock backing with some superbly crafted guitars driving each song along for the most part, though other instruments make themselves felt on the odd few tracks.

One of the most intriguing tracks here isn't actually a full song, it's an eccentric little snippet called "Ode To A Fiancee's Answering Machine". Of the proper songs, picks for me included the outstanding opener "I'd Love To Make You Change Your Mind", "Sweat The Poison Out" & "Shaken Not Stirred".

The second album is actually from 1997, but could easily have been released yesterday the sounds are so timeless. Influences on this album are many, but a lot of the songs here are reminiscent for me of Elvis Costello, XTC & perhaps even Ben Folds Five.

The opening track "Toxic", which is the namesake of the album, is a brilliantly worded piece with some very intelligent lyrics. This album takes a different approach to the first, with many more instruments like string sections, piano & others making appearances, with one of my favourite tracks of all being a rather eccentric song stylistically, called "Things Change".

Other great tracks of note include "She's A Singer", the very Elvis Costello-ish "On The Way To His Wedding" & the excellent closing number "When We're Old". All up, both albums here showcase an amazing talent who I'm surprised hasn't had a very much bigger profile than he already has. This is indeed essential listening.

For more information, write to Mental Giant Music, PO Box 9400, Cincinatti, OH 45209, USA or mgiant@one.net