CHAPMAN, ROGER - "Roger Chapman's 'Riff Burglars'" (2003) - Man, what a great two-CD set!!!  This is a great eclectic collection of roots rock and blues featuring stellar musician throughout and many blistering bluesy guitar solos.  Although this music was recorded over 20 years ago, Mystic's remastered recordings sound like they were recorded yesterday, and the music is fresh, vital, and consistently interesting.  The CDs included in this set from Roger Chapman and The Shortlist include both "The Riffburglar: The Legendary Funny Cider Sessions" (1982) and "Swag" (1983) albums, and feature musicians "Boz" Burrell, Alan Coulter, Tim Hinkley, John Lingwood, Micky Moody, Zoot Money, Nick Pentelow, Steve Simpson, and Geoff Whitehorn.  Included in the set are a total of 31 songs, with over 100 minutes of music.  While the selection of tunes in this collection may appear strange at first, give it a listen and you'll be amazed at how well this all holds together.  This is one of the best new CDs (albeit of classic material) that I've heard in a LONG time. Highly recommended for everyone...and for fans of blues guitar, this is essential stuff...a great addition to any collection.

MELBOURNE - "Night Star" (2002) - Melbourne is a techno-pop unit comprised of Carrie Melbourne (vocals, Chapman Stick, bass guitar, acoustic and electric guitar, and piano), Doug Melbourne (keyboards, programming, and vocals), and Jamie Fisher (acoustic and electronic drums and percussion).  I don't care for techno music, and this CD didn't change my opinion.  The musicianship is sound, and there are some interesting musical passages throughout, including some nice acoustic guitar work.  Folks interested in tecnno-pop may find something to like here, but frankly I just couldn't get into it.  The CD contains approximately 56 minutes of music.

POPOL VUH - "Future Sound Experience" (1993/2002) - Experimental New Age music from German composer Florian Fricke and his group Popol Vuh, named after the sacred book of the ancient Quiche Indians that populated the South American region of Guatamala following the fall of the Maya Empire.  The remainder of the group includes Holger Trulzsch, Frank Fiedler, Bettina Fricke, and Gerhard Augustin.  Originally recorded in 1993, "Future Sound Experience" has been re-released by Mystic Records with additional connecting material to make the tracks flow from one to the other without interruption.  Featuring lots of environmental sounds (e.g., bird calls, flowing water, etc.) synthesizers and keyboards, various acoustic instruments, and even some ethereal vocals, this is pretty spacy stuff...and, I might add, very relaxing to listen to.  The CD contains approximately 68 minutes of music.  Tragically, just before the re-release of this album Florian Fricke died at his home as the result of a stroke in December 2001.

ROSE, TIM - "American Son" (2001) - I wasn't quite sure at first whether I liked this album.  The tunes are pretty laid-back and Tim's gravelly voice took a little while to get used to. However, I find that the more I listen to this stuff the more I like it...and I've listened to this CD quite a lot.  All but one song on the album were written (or co-written) by Tim Rose.  Favorite cuts include "American Son", "Ageing Soldier", the beautiful "Broken Song", and "Tiger In Cages".  Overall, a strong release from American troubadour Tim Rose on Mystic Records.

SAMSON - "Live In London 2000" (live) (2000) - Heavy metal outfit Samson reunited for this album recorded live in London, England, during 2000.  Led by guitarist Paul Samson, the band also featured Chris Aylmer (bass), Nicky Moore (vocals), and the masked and caged Thundersticks.  The sound quality of the recording is slightly muddy, but is not a distraction.  The band plays with enthusiasm and Paul Samson's guitar rocks hard.  The eleven tracks included in "Live In London 2000"  (Mystic Records) include a representative selection of their material:" Test of Time", "Vice Versa", "Room 109", "Turn Out The Lights", "Brand New Day", "Don't Get Mad, Get Even", "Red Skies", "Earth Mother", "Riding With Angels", "Tomorrow or Yesterday", and "Mr. Rock n Roll".  Heavy metal aficionados will want to check this out.  ...By the way, what's the deal with the masked drummer in the cage???

TYLA GANG - "Yachtless" (2003) - Honestly, before hearing this CD I had never heard of pub-rockers the Tyla Gang...so I didn't quite know what to expect of the music on this CD.  No worries here...Tyla Gang rocks with the best of 'em.  "Yachtless" (Mystic Records) is a re-release of their classic 1997 album, along with six bonus tracks including the singles "Suicide Jockey" and "Styrafoam" (for a total of over 57 minutes of music).  Guitarist/keyboardist Sean Tyla handles lead vocals, with Brian Turrington on bass and marimba, Bruce Irvine on lead guitar, and Michael Desmarais on drums, percussion, and backing vocals.  "Yachtless" is filled with good rockers that sound better with each listen, and there isn't a weak cut on the album.  Both "Hurricane" and "Whizz Kids" feature some pretty mean slide guitar, and Sean Tyla uses a talk-box effect on bonus tracks "Cannons of the Boogie Night" and "Suicide Jockey".  All of the songs on the CD are originals penned by Sean Tyla or co-written by Tyla and lead guitarist Bruce Irvine.  While Tyla Gang have their own sound, at least a couple of cuts on the album reminded me of a marriage between Cheap Trick and Mott The Hoople.  All-in-all, a very strong CD which makes for a good listen anytime.  Recommended for straight-ahead rock-and-rollers...I like it!

• Mystic Records - "Where The Music Really Matters"