She’s So Fine – The Rise of the Girl Groups ****

This 3 CD set revives a string of timeless pop classics from the golden era of the female vocal group in the late fifties and early sixties, including offerings from The Crystals, The Chantels and the Marvelettes, whose infectious 1961 hit, “Please Mr. Postman” gave Tamla Motown its first US chart-topper.

Their much more illustrious stable-mates The Supremes also make an appearance with two minor hits from the following year in the shape of “Your Heart Belongs To Me” and “Let Me Go The Right Way,” but the real stars of the show are New Jersey’s Shirelles, whose sizeable contribution to the proceedings includes “Dedicated To The One I Love” and Goffin-King’s sublime “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.”

Out now (Fantastic Voyage FVTD 160: £12.00)

Electric Guest, Mondo ****

The debut album from highly regarded Los Angeles duo Electric Guest finds them working with veteran producer Danger Mouse as they mine a rich vein of skilfully crafted electronic pop, revelling in a love of melody that could almost be viewed as an eccentricity in these troubled times.

Some doubts have been expressed as to whether or not British audiences will share their American cousins’ enthusiasm for Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton’s ironically detached brand of music-making but there’s surely no denying the appeal of stand-out tracks such as “Waves” and “This Head I Hold.”

Out now (Warner Bros: £9.45)

Karl Engel, Mozart : Piano Concertos ****

This inexpensive 10 CD box set brings together the complete cycle of Mozart Piano Concertos, drawing on the series of recordings made by Karl Engel  and Salzburg’s Mozaretum Orchestra during the latter half of the seventies.

Engel was very much a “musician’s musican,” and although the Swiss musician may never have enjoyed the popular acclaim that was showered on many of his contemporaries his interpretations of Mozart’s keyboard masterworks never stray too far from the composer’s original intentions and are certainly well worth eleven hours or so of anyone’s time.

Out now (Teldec 2564 65139 2: £19.12)

Bill Kirchen, Seeds and Stems ****

“Seeds and Stems” marks the latest step in the long and richly rewarding musical journey which began when singer and guitarist Kirchen helped to found Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen long, long ago in 1967.

Their rollicking blend of country music and Western swing put the band at the forefront of the Americana movement long before the term had been invented, and Kirchen is still a prime purveyor of memorable roots music more than four decades later, re-visiting old favourites such as “Too Much Fun” and the affecting title tune alongside a beguiling re-vamp of Dylan’s “It Takes A Lot To Laugh,It Takes A Train To Cry.”

Released on June 24th (PROPER PRPCD112 : £10.52)

Kenny Chesney, Life On A Rock ***

Country superstar Kenny Chesney has already notched up album sales in excess of 30 million, and the memorable “Life On A Rock” seems destined to become the Tennessee born tunesmith’s latest chart-topper,boasting a series of highly personal reflections on life in his relaxed homebase in the Virgin Islands underpinned by contributions from the venerable Willie Nelson and The Wailers.

The latter outfit strut their stuff on a not entirely convincing slice of pseudo reggae entitled “Spread The Love,” and Kenny also unveils a heartfelt paean of praise to their former frontman in the shape of ”Marley.” The crowd-pleasing “Pirate Flag” and “When I See This Bar” are the best of the rest.

Out now (Columbia / Blue Chair Records: £9.43)