This week, Matt is spaced out and dreaming.

Lemon Jelly – Space Walk (XL)

“OK, I’m letting go… BLEEP… I’m beginning to see a point of light on the horizon… BLEEP…” along with a tuneful guitar loop and a few bits of electronic nonsense: it must be Lemon Jelly. Space Walk is a collage of samples spliced to the kind of rhythm that you could line dance to. Not that you’d want to. The two other tracks are also damn fine, as is the packaging. Their first proper album Lost Horizon is out in a couple of weeks, following their acclaimed Lemonjelly.ky three-EP collection which came out a while back. On this evidence, it should go down nicely.

The Coral – Dreaming Of You (Delta Sonic)

One of the best tracks from one of the most interesting bands of the year. Dreaming of you is a perfect showcase for frontman James Skelly’s rich and gravelly delta blues vocals. Considerably less weird and scary than some of their other stuff, this single still contains their off-beat psychedelic trademarks. The video even features a dancing bear playing the trumpet.

The Cinematic Orchestra – Horizon (Ninja Tune)

Twelve inches to mark the beginning of the Cinematic’s tour with road vocalist Niara Scarlett on vocals. With soulful Rhodes piano, drifting strings and a wandering bassline, it’s actually quite Zero 7 in its execution. On the flipside one half of DJ Food, and the Orchestra’s tour turntablist Mr PC, remixes Evolution in a chilled drum ‘n’ bass stylee.

The Vines – Outtathaway (Heavenly)

The angry Ozzies’ third single from their Highly Evolved debut. And rather good it is too – like The Kinks lamping Nirvana, it’s tough but tuneful. Rougher than Darren Day’s stubble and so ready they’ve been to the loo and everything. No worries.

Richard Ashcroft – Check the Meaning (Virgin)

Duff pick of the week is Mr Ashcroft. Another past-it Manc to add to the rather big collection the British music scene seems to be accumulating (see John Squire, Morrissey, Puressence…). It’s not that bad really, he’s still a great vocalist but it’s bland, over produced and, well, boring really. Expect to hear it on heavy rotation on Virgin. MW 03 October 02