Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week's CD releases Keith Richards, "Talk Is Cheap" (BMG)- This engaging solo diversion from the veteran Stones guitarist first saw the light of day in 1988 and found Richards working in close collaboration with drummer Steve Jordan as the two musicians assembled a joyous celebration of the unalloyed power of rock'n'roll. The critically acclaimed result featured contributions from top notch sidemen such as Waddy Wachtel, The Memphis Horns and former Stone Mick Taylor, and BMG's 30th Anniversary re-issue has been fleshed out to excellent effect with the inclusion of six bonus tracks led by back to the roots covers of Willie Dixon's "My Babe" and Eddie Taylor's "Big Town Playboy."

Manfred Mann / Manfred Mann Chaper III / Manfred Mann's Earth Band, "Radio Days (Volumes 1,2,3 & 4)" (Umbrella Music)- The various outfits led by South African keyboardist Manfred Mann during the sixties and seventies witnessed a distinct progression from the relatively raw jazz and r&b influenced flavour of their early output to a lucrative flirtation with smooth commercial pop and then later the much more esoteric and prog orientated approach of Chapter III and the Earth Band. These fascinating 2CD anthologies have been culled from the BBC archives and capture all the incarnations of the Manfred Mann band in sprightly form in a series of sessions cut for the national broadcaster during those far-off days.

Stephen Malkmus,"Groove Denied"(Domino)-Former Pavement frontman Malkmus does his level best to confound listeners' expectations with an adventurous package which couldn't be further removed from the quirky indie rock which helped to make his name during the early nineties. "Groove Denied" is very much a one man affair, with his regular band The Jicks replaced here by an array of electronic devices in a clear homage to the influence of outfits such as The Human League and early DIY synth bands in general. The finished product strikes a fine balance between the arresting inorganic textures of "Viktor Borgia" and "Belziger Faceplant" and Malkmus' forays into slightly more familiar musical territory such as "Grown Nothing" and the catchy "Ocean of Revenge."

"John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett" (Extracked Records)- This limited edition double album has been released to tie in with this year's Record Store Day, coupling Otway and Barrett's original 1977 debut set with a new direct-to-disc recording of the same tracks. Readers with long memories and eclectic tastes should welcome this heavensent opportunity to relive the rampant eccentricity of live staples such as "Racing Cars," "Really Free" and Otway's show-stopping revamp of Bob Lind's "Cheryl's Going Home," enticingly pressed for your listening pleasure in glorious green and blue vinyl.