The Jeevas – Virginia (Cowboy Musik)

Foot-stomping rock ‘n’ roll from Crispin “Kula Shaker” Mills’ new band. After Kula Shaker split in 1999, their guitarist singer/songwriter had several false starts. “Thank God I didn’t release anything,” he says now. But then he met old pros Andy Nixon (drums) and Dan McKinna (bass) and they just clicked. Virginia (who, according to the lyrics, is a witch) is the first single from the album 1234, out in a couple of weeks. It's not a million miles from Kula Shaker but without the Indian fascination. “It’s still bubbling away there as an undercurrent,” he claims. Ah, so it is.

Gotan Project - Santa Maria (XL)

Comprising Argentinean musicians exiled to Paris, Gotan Project blend traditional South American and French influences with modern production and DJ techniques, resulting in a dramatic fusion of blood-red romance and downtempo tangos. If you’re open-minded enough to listen to music with accordions, and you like something a bit different, this single and the album it’s taken from - La Revancha Del Tango - is most certainly worth a listen.

Radio 4 - Eyes Wide Open (City Slang)


Following the Strokes across the pond are New York Rockers Radio 4. They are actually on to their second album (Gotham! out 07 October) and have a sizeable following in the states but are only now making in-roads into the UK scene. And it's rather good rock and roll in the BRMC mould and bares little resemblance to the radio station of the same name. Strange that.

Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club – Whatever Happened To My Rock N Roll (Virgin)

Talk of the devil. The third and probably most full-on single from the American power trio’s fantastic debut album. Throbbing basslines, thundering guitars and distorted vocals - this is pure and unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. It makes no bones about what it is: raw, simple, and frankly great. No wonder people love ‘em. You can catch them supporting Primal Scream in December.

Seachange – Superf**k (Radiate)

The first single from Nottingham rockers Seachange. They share a house, they rehearse in a disused Victorian swimming pool and they’ve supported Idlewild. They sound a bit like The Music with the same onslaught of guitars and rasping vocals. It’s alright, if you like that kind of thing. MW 12 September 02