Mixing up some tasty concoctions

By ALAN PERROTT

Around these parts Mylo is more reminiscent of hot chocolate, but the mood swings contained within this Scotsman's debut, Destroy Rock & Roll, suggest his taste lurches more to the top tipple of Isle of Skye-ites, Talisker whisky.

He's being hailed as the finest addition to Scottish musical lore since Donald lost his troosers and billed as the the man most likely to re-pile the sagging foundations of house music.

Legend has it the entire album was thrown together on a home computer, which could account for it's raw DIY quality and rock vibe.

But he comes on gently: any of the first three tracks would fit nicely on the next Lazy Sunday comp, until Drop The Pressure leaps out with enough ass-kicking oomph to give those re-piled foundations a test that not even Cambridge High School could help them pass.

Clearly Myles MacInnes has had fun, the tracks don't overstay their welcome and he's happy to toss in the odd hoary sample - In My Arms is swept along nicely by the keyboard hook from Kim Carnes' Bette Davis Eyes.

For House of a more pricey, umpteen bedrooms with ensuite and matching towels style, punters looking for a one-party-CD-fits-all bargain will find enough on Mint 4 to make their pupils dilate.

This mixed double album carries a heavyweight cast of club classics from Soulsearcher's Feelin' Love (Soulsearcher Club Mix) to DJ Sneak's funky Fix My Sink, with more full-throated diva action than you could toss a sequined boob tube at.

The remote should be kept handy for the cheesier, glowstick moments, but Basement Jaxx and the Martin Solveig quinella of Rocking Music and a Salif Keita remix should encourage the ladies to pile the handbags for a good get-down.

Australia's Hemmesphere Two is yet another offering expelled into the ever-expanding universe of chill-out compilations.

While its forebear was more of a black hole interest-wise, this assembly of exotic, vocal-heavy groovers is worth some attention.

Nathan Haines' Squire for Hire stands tall alongside token Aussies Mark Farina, Pty Ltd - who come across in a beaty Smokey Robinson-Curtis Mayfield kinda way - while the remix offered of Nightmares on Wax's Stars has an almost Fat Freddy's-with-a-budget feel.

Marvin Gaye gets his bloody marvellous Got To Give It Up (Pt1) featured, but fullas, if you've searched all corners for cool songs and have a hankering for Al Green, why did you settle on his classic but well-worn Let's Stay Together?

Verve presents their latest flog-the-back-catalogue routine, by hanging a fine collection of cocktail Latin on the mega dance brand Masters at Work.

Mssrs Vega and Gonzalez have gathered a classy selection featuring stellar names such as Cal Tjader, George Shearing and Eddie Palmieri.

This isn't the percussive, high-energy Chicano funk of Ray Barretto or War, but focuses on the label's smoother beret and sombrero jazz styles ... with piles of percussion.

It's cocktails and comfy chairs all round for the exotica of George Shearing's Caravan, which cruises along under the propulsion of harmonica and piano.

And if you've heard a more bizarrely cool version of Mas Que Nada, than that of Patato & Totico, then I'd call you a liar. Over a bed of percolating rhythms they spooned a vocal melange which pays lip service to the original melody before evolving into an African chant.

The Working Masters chose Willie Bobo's La Descarga Del Bobo for their closing remix and it's easy to see why. The repeating guitar line at its spine allows the guys to merrily thread horns and percussion over, around and through for a goodly eight and a half minutes.

While Bjork has won attention for her gradual Luddite-like abandonment of traditional band trappings, passing her in the opposite direction are former Afro-Salsa a cappella devotees, Zap Mama.

Ancestry in Progress is another link in their conversion to conventional instrumentation, helping to win new ears while causing hardcore fans to mutter "sell out" into their herbal tea.

Not everything works, but the sensual vocal gymnastics of lead vocalist Marie Daulne - the only woman to feature on human beatbox doco Breath Control - are well suited to the languid hip-hop beats provided. Erykah Badu lends her tonsils to one of the highlights, Bandy Bandy, while various footsoldiers from the Roots platoon have left fingerprints everywhere.

MYLO: DESTROY ROCK & ROLL

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Label: Breastfed


Solid in the set piece although he has issues with some transitions, but the core of star players keeps the game plan together without too much dropped ball

MINT 4: ESSENTIAL HOUSE MUSIC

(Herald rating: * * * )

Label: Universal


An Ibiza experience in a clear plastic box, ideal for keeping up those energy levels during spring cleaning

HEMMESPHERE TWO

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Label: Jam


A global meandering which offers up some arresting ear and butt fodder, and won't wear out within a handful of listenings

MASTERS AT WORK PRESENT LATIN SOUNDS

(Herald rating: * * * * * )

Label: Verve


Classy, at times challenging, collection of smooth Latin rhythms selected by two of the best in the business

ZAP MAMA: ANCESTRY IN PROGRESS

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Label: Luka Bop


One of the biggest musical conversions since Cat Stevens sees a Belgian chanteuse morph into an exotic rival to Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu