Kevin Bryan reviews the latest album releases, from Bavarian singer Claudia Brucken to singer/guitarist Miller Anderson.

Claudia Brucken: Combined ****

THIS distinctive Bavarian singer has never been the most prolific of performers, but her relatively meagre recorded output always repays closer investigation and this new anthology is well worth an hour or so of anyone's time.

The sweeping widescreen electronica of Propaganda hits such as Dr Mabuse and Duel sits snugly alongside stylish collaborations with the likes of Thomas Leer, Andy Bell and OMD's Paul Humphreys on tracks as diverse as Snobbery and Decay, Bowie's This Is Not America and a pristine new version of the Roy Orbison tear-jerker, In Dreams.

Out now (Salvo SALVO CD 046: £5)

Angela Brownridge: Tchaikovsky - The Seasons, Piano Sonata in G ***

THIS 1994 recording from pianist Angela Brownridge explores The Seasons, a series of 12 character pieces which Tchaikovsky penned in 1876 in response to a commission from a Russian music magazine.

It's debatable whether or not the composer viewed these works as in any way significant or intellectually challenging, but they gave a welcome boost to his personal finances and also became very popular amongst the amateur performers of the day.

The influence of Robert Schumann is often apparent as Brownridge immerses herself in the evocative charms of beautifully constructed creations such as Troika and Barcarolle.

Out now (Cala-United CACD 88008: £9.20)

Miller Anderson: Bluesheart ****

THIS Renfrewshire-born singer and guitarist has been a highly regarded member of the rock fraternity ever since his stint with The Keef Hartley Band in the late 60s but fame and fortune has never come his way and Miller Anderson solo albums have sadly become as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth.

Bluesheart dates from 2007 and finds the man who has been hailed as the Scottish B B King tackling a skilfully crafted blend of original material and cover versions,with Deep Purple's organist Jon Lord guesting on a couple of tracks, Runnin' Blues and Sonny Boy Williamson's Help Me.

Out now (ROK 8010 CD : £12.99)

War Horses! Angel Air Rocks! ***

THIS muscular anthology celebrates the work of some of the gnarled old rock performers whose albums have appeared on Angel Air over the years.

The label has provided a welcome creative outlet for a string of unjustly undervalued acts who might otherwise have vanished from the public consciousness without a trace and their sterling efforts here certainly repay closer investigation.

Quatermass II, Stray, Robin George and Freedom all make compelling contributions to the proceedings, the latter chipping in with a particularly fiery rendition of Don Nix's Going Down.

Out now (Angel Air SJPCD 362 : £11.99)

Rockin' Rollin' Wedding ***

SUBTITLED 24 Wedding songs From The Golden Age of Rhythm & Blues and Rock'n'Roll, this new Fantastic Voyage anthology was compiled by 50s rock enthusiast Mark Lamarr, capturing the largely innocent teenage dreams of this bygone era via a vibrant blend of hits and obscurities.

The Five Satins' doo-wop classic To The Aisle and Buddy Holly's infectious Peggy Sue Got Married are the pick of an enjoyable package which also features archive gems from the likes of Johnny Otis, Wynonie Harris, Big Bopper and Hank Ballard's Midnighters.

Released on March 28th (Fantastic Voyage FVCD084: £6.99)

The Peter Green Story: Man of the World ****

THIS fascinating but ultimately rather sad DVD chronicles the already well documented rise and drug induced fall of Fleetwood Mac's singer, guitarist and musical mainstay Peter Green, utilising grainy archive footage and contemporary interviews with Mick Fleetwood, Carlos Santana and many other rock luminaries.

Green himself also contributes to the narrative, but this cheerily enigmatic character doesn't really shed too much light on the events which led to his creative demise in the early seventies and effectively silenced one of the finest white bluesmen of his generation.

Out now (Wienerworld WNRD 2469: £15.99)