KATHRYN WILLIAMS: Relations (East/West)

AN album of cover versions is either a sign that the creative muse has gone or that you're a very confident individual. I'd like to think that in Ms Williams's case it's the latter. Her acoustic style is eminently listenable and her selection of covers is imaginative, with songs ranging from Lou Reed's Candy Says to Ivor Cutler's Beautiful Cosmos. Maybe too laid-back for some, it's an interesting alternative if you enjoy acoustic music. JA

LENNY KRAVITZ: Baptism (Virgin)

CLEARLY not lacking in the confidence department is Lenny Kravitz. Baptism sees him setting out his intentions from the start with the opening track Minister of Rock and Roll. Vocally he's on good form and, with heavily fuzzed guitars, Lenny's clearly enjoying heading back to his roots. Flavour of the month Jay-Z guests on Storm, which may open up Kravitz to a new audience. Baptism represents a very personal collection of songs and it's very good.JA

ARABIA: THE ESSENTIAL ALBUM (Essential)

ESSENTIAL for whom, that's the question? World music is now widely accepted -- and rightly so -- but a double CD is perhaps asking a bit too much of traditional Western music tastes. There are some good tracks but I did reach for the skip button on numerous occasions. An acquired taste. JA

THE CHARLATANS: Up At The Lake (Island)

THE appeal or otherwise of this, the first Charlatans' album in almost three years, will all depend on what you think of Tim Burgess's voice. Personally I've always found it a touch whiney, so I was never really destined to like this. The guitars jangle away in fine style and on several tracks you get additional strings, but it is basically a Charlatans record. Great news for the fans, but it's unlikely to win converts.JA