After Grace's first three tacky (but not without a certain charm) disco albums 'Warm Leatherette' is released. Teaming up with Sly and Robbie was a stoke of genius. A Fabulous choice of songs (that she really has made her own) and slick production plus Grace's unique vocal delivery make this one of Island records finest releases. Personally I perfer the slightly edited versions on the vinyl version (long deleted). Includes the hit single 'Private Life'.

I really wanted to hate this album when my brother bought it home way back in 1979 - However, after one play I was hooked. Side One is fantastic featuring both Planet Claire and Rock Lobster. Sadly the second half is let down by Hero Worship (which is hard going) and the cover version of Downtown. Apart from this, the rest really stands the test of time. The recording is brilliant and hopfully a remastered CD will be released soon. The follow up 'Wild Planet' was OK but is missing that something special (not helped by the awful cut on the UK pressing). This is a fun album to play loud!

Following Al Stewart's previous album 'Orange', Past, Present & Future marks a change in direction lyrically. Gone are the songs about failed relationships and in are songs steeped in history, the present (Terminal Eyes, Soho) and of course the future (albeit through the eyes of Nostradamus). This is one of Al's strongest releases, but may require a few listens to really appreciate it, but once you're hooked it will stay with you always.

Released in 1975. This is a bit of an odd ball in Peter's catalogue - one of the tracks being selected by Johnny Rotten on a radio show many years ago (along with Can, Nico and Kevin Coyne)! Contains the classic weepy, gloomy, ballads - Shingle Song, Been Alone So Long, Airport and People You Wwere Going To, plus the 'Punky' title track, Nobody's Business and Birthday Special. The only problem is that it isn't 'typical' of his output and might struggle to find an audience. Funny that this is so easy to find thesedays, as Charisma deleted it soon after it was released - I had the library copy on loan for years!

Missing a some of the tracks from the UK edition (but adding the superb \'Lighting Fires\') - this is Grant at his best. I love it! Sadly Grant passed away recently - buy this one while you can and find out what you\'ve been missing - and make sure you listen to his other 3 solo albums plus his work with The Go-Betweens.