Latest CD releases reviewed

THE JAM Snap (3 CD Box Set) Universal ****

This was first released as a greatest hits album in 1983, just after the band split. For some reason, the vinyl version had 29 songs while the CD only had 21. All that's been corrected now, and here you'll get two CDs of wall-to-wall classic Jam songs plus a bonus CD of live tracks from their (sob) last ever gig at Wembley Arena in 1982. What always really impressed most about The Jam was that, away from the hit singles, they had such quality on their albums. Such tracks as Butterfly Collector, Smithers-Jones (the only non-Weller Jam track worthy of consideration) and Man in the Corner Shop show just how much great material they had. Most everything you want from the band is here - and it's all superb stuff. Highly recommended.

Brian Boyd