Illumination
Paul Weller

I was a little worried that Paul Weller was turning into my generation's Eric Clapton, middle age and his trad-rock leanings seemed to be taking him down the road to the sort of crusty blues rock favoured by men with beards who drink real ale. Was the Modfather turning into a hippy? Thankfully no, at least not on the evidence of "Illumination" which keeps the lumpy Dadrock to a minimum in favour of a soulful brew of acoustic guitars and warm Hammond organ and has produced what might well be his best album since - crikey - the Style Council's second? The lovely opener "Going Places" sets the tone for most of what follows with Weller's Marlboro-aged voice crooning over a languid ode to getting away from it all. Mr. Angry Weller surfaces on the political stomper "A Bullet For Everyone" but mostly the outlook is light and upbeat with the effervescent single "It's Written In The Stars" being positively sunny by his standards. Anyone expecting a youth explosion should look elsewhere because this is the sound of Weller settled into middle age and fatherhood. Not that he's singing songs about his mortgage or dropping the kids off at school but the album's relaxed and hazy vibe is a reflection of a man who feels comfortable in his own loafers. [Official site]

The Colored Section
Donnie

Someone call the Ghostbusters because it sounds like Donnie has been possessed by the spirits of the late, great Donny Hathaway and the still-alive-thank-you-very-much Stevie Wonder. His soaring voice is a virtual doppleganger of Mr. Hathaway's heavenly pipes and his debut album's resemblance to their 70s classics of socially-conscious soul like "Everything Is Everything" and "Fullfillingness: First Finale" is pretty darn spooky. "The Colored Section" is a concept album of sorts (the damn 70s again) about black identity and history expressed in a solid collection of testifying ballads and swinging groovers which Donnie raises to the heavens with the preaching passion of his voice. Yes, he does like to kick it very old skool indeed, but while the crowded field of male Nu-Soulers all cite Marvin, Stevie and Curtis as influences about the only thing they have in common with them is a penchant for floppy hats and loud shirts, they just aren't on the same planet talent-wise but Donnie has the x-factor that separates him from the pack of wannabes: genuine sanctified soul power and a message that goes beyond booty and bling-bling. Righteous stuff. [donniesoul.com]
Stoned Pt. 1
Lewis Taylor

Critical adulation wasn't enough to stop Lewis Taylor getting dumped by his record label, despite a cult following as fanatically devoted as the Spanish Inquisition was to the Pope it seemed his brand of brooding psychedelic soul wasn't grabbing enough punters to satisfy his evil corporate masters. Now free from their bondage and recording independently he's, surprisingly, made his most commercial album to date with his usual volcanic Marvin-meets-Hendrix jams taking a bit of a back seat to some poppy blue-eyed soul that wouldn't sound out of place on a Hall & Oates album. Not that there's anything wrong with that - I like Hall & Oates - but they don't play to Lewis's strengths like his fiery guitar playing and outer space arrangements. Thankfully there's still enough of that in evidence on standout tracks like "Lewis IV" and "Sheneverdid" - along with his gorgeous, swooning falsetto voice - to show exactly what it is about him that sends Lewis fans into orgasms. But will the huddled masses buy it and will your mum be humming "Send Me An Angel" at the supermarket one day? Buggered if I know. Available from [Dusty Groove]