Bev Bevan reviews the latest CD's

By Steve Wollaston on May 2, 09 04:41 PM

MIDGE URE - Pure + Breathe (Edsel)

IN September 1991, Ultravox frontman and Band Aid co-founder Midge Ure released Pure, his third solo album.He waited until 1995 to release his fourth, Breathe.

Both albums featured an eclectic mix of guest musicians, including Robert Fripp from King Crimson, Paddy Moloney of the Cheiftans, Mark Brzezicki of Big Country and Liam O'Maonlai from Hothouse Flowers.

This expanded CD release of both albums boasts 13 bonus tracks too, including Ure's version of Peter Green's Man Of The World.

There's a live version, too, of Tom Rush's No Regrets, originally a solo hit for Midge in 1982.

MAXINE BROWN - Best Of The Wand Years (Ace)

SOME sophisticated New York City soul from the splendid Maxine Brown, who was one of the late, great Dusty Springfield's influences. Dusty, Rod Stewart, Cher and Manfred Mann all recorded versions of Goffin and King's Oh No Not My Baby but Maxine Brown's original remains the best. That recording was one of just three major American hits for her, along with All In My Mind and Funny.

She also sang several duets with Chuck Jackson, and one of these, Something You Got was a song I used to sing with The Move.