Latest releases reviewed.

JEFF MILLS
Blue Potential Uncivilised World/Axis
***

On one side of the stage it's the Montpellier Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Alain Altinoglu. On the other side, it's Jeff Mills, the techno don who has long harboured notions about stretching electronic music's boundaries. For one evening only, at a picturesque site just outside Avignon in France, this was an opportunity for Mills to tease and coax the classical elements within his music to the surface, and it's an experiment that proved hugely successful. There's a pulsating chemistry between the beats that Mills is producing at his console and the driving strings of the orchestra working to adaptations of the music by French composer Thomas Roussel. While it may have always been felt that such tracks as The Bells and Entrance to Metropolis had cinematic pace and purpose, it's still quite impressive to hear just how widescreen they sound when electronic musician and orchestra combine. The extras are also worth a look, especially Mills giving his views on the collaboration. www.axisrecords.com Jim Carroll

PAUL WELLER
As Is NowLiberation Entertainment
**

Paul Weller's transformation from wired, fiery and corrugated-iron songwriter to smooth proponent of treacly rock'n'roll has to be one of pop culture's major tragedies of the past 30 years. This DVD is not for people who think that, however, as it is in essence something of a billet doux to the man they call the Modfather. The main feature focuses on a live gig at London's 100 Club, and includes moribund renditions of Weller's lengthy post-Jam career and a nostalgic run through of The Jam's A Town Called Malice. Extras include a photo gallery, an extensive but not particularly revealing interview with Weller and his band members as they create tracks for the titular CD, interviews with adoring fans, and an on-the-road section filmed in Amsterdam (where you can guess what they get up to, the little scamps).

Tony Clayton-Lea