This week, Matt is, in the main, very impressed.

The Coral – Don’t Think You’re The First (Deltasonic)
Those Hoylake boys are on a roll. The dust has hardly begun to settle on last summer’s fabulous eponymous debut and they’re already releasing the first single from their follow-up LP. And it’s rumoured they’ve already got songs in the bag for a third. Blimey Charlie. The good news is that they haven’t strayed a million miles from what made them such an oddly interesting proposition in the first place, while at the same time developing their sea-shanty blues sound and embracing the influence of er, The Shadows. Personally, I can’t wait for the album.

Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man – Tom The Model (Go Beat)
The second single from the Portishead vocalist’s soulful solo collaboration with Rustin Man, aka Talk Talk’s Paul Webb. Brooding, orchestral and strangely catchy, this will make you want to close your eyes and sway your head from side to side. You might even be tempted to sing along. Understated horns and fantastic strings beautifully complement Beth’s plaintive vocals. A brilliant track from the much overlooked Out Of Season LP. And no, Portishead haven’t broken up in case you’re wondering.

Zongamin – Spiral (XL)
Zongamin is the latest act on the rather fine XL label. He’s basically one guy from Japan, Susumu Mukai, who’s now relocated to East Anglia. His first single purchase was the theme to Ghostbusters. His album (out 24 March) comprises dirty DIY electronic instrumental music, delivered with the aid of real-life fuzzy instruments. And it’s bloody great. On this track, throbbing bass is matched with tinny guitar stabs and other funny noises. Total genius.

Terri Walker – Guess You Didn’t Love Me (Def Soul)
Sultry R&B jazz soul from 23-year-old south Londoner Terri Walker, the “new sound of British soul”. You can hear her influences - Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald - and she has a remarkably mature voice for someone so young, complemented by the UK Garage-tinged production. She’s bit of a looker so she could easily turn out to be this year’s Ms Dynamite.

The Thrills – One Horse Town (Virgin)
The Thrills are from Ireland, but seem to think they’re from America. This lack of geographical awareness does not however impact badly upon their particular brand of bouncy, melodic blues and it’s certainly better than The Corrs’ tin-whistle pop. This track has a definite Charlatans feel, with a rocking Hammond and a vocal reminiscent of Tim Berger’s recently adopted falsetto. They may not blow you away but it has definite charm. Matt Walton 28 February 03

All singles released 03 March 03.