Bobby Kray, Tales From a Skinny White Boy

Bobby Kray, the Londoner discovered in Brixton's Blacker Dread record shop, must have a charm that's not apparent when listening to his music cold. His debut is partly produced by the legendary Dennis Bovell (who produced for I-Roy, the Slits and made the best ever British reggae film, the out-of-print Babylon), and he persuaded Eek-A-Mouse to guest. But the 27-year-old Kray - who makes a mixture of R&B and updated Seventies lovers rock - doesn't do classics such as Sister Nancy's 'Bam Bam' any favours, and that's a kind assessment. Strangely lightweight.