Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, The Golden Age of Song (Rhino)

A collaborative effort profiting from Jools Holland's peerless contacts book, The Golden Age Of Song is largely reliant on the pairing of material with singer. Paloma Faith has a personality big enough for "Something's Got a Hold On Me", while Rumer is rather overshadowed by the salty trumpet and piano solos on "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive". The best cuts come from Holland's Hootenanny shows: Cee Lo Green's character is exuberant enough to handle "Reet Petite", and Paolo Nutini inhabits the swaggering momentum of Wynonie Harris's "Lovin' Machine" like a bespoke suit. Amy Winehouse likewise tears "Don't Go to Strangers" apart, leaving Paul Weller to pick up the pieces; her engagement shames her supposed young peeresses here.

Download: Reet Petite; Don't Go to Strangers; Lovin' Machine