Associates

The dark lord lightens up, relatively

Shambling indie pop may be rather passé these days, but The Pastels have skilfully rebranded themselves and their associates as something akin to naïve artists. Central to this endeavour are Maher Shalal Hash Baz, a sprawling Japanese group who record for the Pastels' Geographic imprint and who pivot on Tori Kudo, a potter and former terrorist currently operating as a kind of whimsical Sun Ra. Recorded in East Kilbride, Blues Du Jour captures Kudo's haphazard troupe at their most accessible and endearing.

When '80s Northern boys hooked up with a pair of disco and hip hop gods

Greatest hits of the big beat pioneers, weighed down by famous friends

This month's disappointing Wu cash-in

The Boss proves he's still rock'n'roll redemption personified

Metal box package for blues veterans' attempt to revive their illustrious past

Titanic ambient metal, featuring a declamatory Julian Cope

Double CD focusing on Chicago soul giant's work with friends and disciples

Mixed messages and beer-drinking songs from former Chris Stamey/dB's associates