MUSIC UPFRONT - 13.09.08: Catalogue reviews.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark: Messages - Greatest Hits (Virgin CDVX3050)

OMD recently reformed to tour their vintage material, so Virgin have wisely decided to issue this bumper CD/DVD set. Sixteen of the band's 17 Top 40 hits are among the CD's 21 tracks but, inexplicably, Stand Above Me is missing. It does, however, turn up on the DVD, which includes 31 promo videos, of which 28 have not been on DVD before, while 11 have never been released in any visual format. Evolving from a quirky, synthpop duo to a glorious pop band capable of stunning soundscapes like Joan Of Arc and Souvenir, OMD deserve to return to the chart with this nicely-timed collection.

Johnny Winter: Scorchin' Blues (SPV Blue SPV42902CD)

Another fine release from German label SPV's Roots `N' Blues series, Scorchin' Blues features Johnny Winter on 14 early sides on which he is variously accompanied by brother Edgar, Rick Derringer and legends Willie Dixon, Pinetop Perkins and James Cotton. Winter is arguably the best modern blues guitarist, and his mastery of his instrument is well matched by his raw and impassioned vocals - scorchin' blues indeed.

Various: Andy Smith Diggin' In The BGP Vaults (CDBGPD 195).

The BGP label is a member of the Ace family, and has been delivering fine albums for 21 years. To mark its birthday, it has invited DJ Andy Smith to rifle through its archives for this celebratory release. Smith knows his stuff, and has come up with a sublime selection of soul, jazz and funk to mark the occasion in style, including Betty Moore's It's Your Thing, Ripple's I Don't Know What It Is But It Sure Is Funky and Billy Hawk's fabulous (Oh Baby) I Believe I'm Using You.