STEPHEN CUMMINGS: Love-O-Meter (Liberation).

STEPHEN Cummings combines all of his many sides on his 15th solo release. As the title suggests, the focus is on matters of the heart and, as ever, Cummings wears his on his sleeve. The styles range from infectious pop reflecting latter-day Beatles to country sidetracks, gritty rock and his trademark smoky, jazz-inflected ballads. The former Sportsman is in fine voice as he floats on a sea of Shane O'Mara's guitars and seductive grooves from Bill McDonald and Peter Luscombe. Melancholy in parts but mostly uplifting.

JEFF CRAWFORD