She's been given an MBE by the Queen and crowned as one of the UK's leading R'n'B singers - will Beverley Knight's sixth studio album seal her place in soul royalty? Elsewhere, rapper Q-Tip is finally able to release his much-anticipated Kamaal The Abstract album, eight years after he recorded it.

Beverley Knight - 100%.

Since she emerged from Wolverhampton 15 years ago, Beverley Knight has rightfully earned herself a respectable reputation for her voice. At once vintage-Atlantic-Soul-sounding yet defiantly British, her nickname as the UK's Queen Of Soul couldn't be more apt. Despite this, and her perennial guest spots with Jools Holland's Rhythm And Blues Orchestra, she's never really had the material her vocal talent should have. On this, her sixth studio album, that hasn't changed. Despite having the connections to secure guest spots from Robin Gibb and Chaka Khan, 100% never really gets going. But then, 60% was never going to fly as an album title, was it?

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Andy Welch).

Q-Tip - Kamaal The Abstract.

Listening to the third solo album from former Tribe Called Quest rapper Q-Tip brings on a sense of deja vu. Shelved for eight years due to record-company wranglings, tracks have been circulating the airwaves in the interim and several (Heels, Even If It Is So) already feel like established classics. In stark contrast to 2008's punchy and explosive The Renaissance, this is a far more low-fi and downbeat affair. Kamaal is less commercial and feels rougher around the edges, but there's an intimacy between Q-Tip, his mic and the audience unparalleled on previous releases. If this were to fall on fresh ears, it would definitely impress. And although over time the impact has diluted, fortunately the quality has not.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Sarah Marshall).

Various Artists - 101 Running Songs.

Sometimes all the motivation needed to do anything aerobic is the sound of an uplifting tune pumping in your ears. If going for a run is on the agenda, then a carefully-selected playlist of rousing tracks at the ready is always handy. This five-disc set is packed with countless cardio-busting tunes, including Iggy Pop's Lust For Life and Footloose by Kenny Loggins. Nostalgic songs such as Wham!'s Wake Me Up Before You Go Go and Kim Wilde's Kids In America will encourage the more rusty runners. There are an unnecessary amount of tracks featured for their title alone, like Hot Chip's Ready For The Floor, Jane Wiedlin's Rush Hour and a number of obligatory filler tunes which serve no purpose. If the 'next track' button on your music player is within easy reach when you're on the move, then this marathon of an album is a runner's friend.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Tori Mayo).

The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love.

The art of employing a layer of noise to add another dimension to pop songs isn't a new one, but it's a trick this London duo have got down to a tee. The songs on their stunning first album take the great traditions of obvious influences My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus And Mary Chain and build upon them. The distortion never feels like it's being used as a weapon to disorientate the listener, rather to create a glossy sense of warmth to wash over a series of blisteringly epic anthems. It starts with a thrum of feedback and doesn't look back - and it's one of the finest debuts of the year.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Simon Harker).

A Mountain Of One - Institute Of Joy.

Frequently compared to Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd, London trio A Mountain Of One play an usual brand of psych rock drawing equally from classic prog and contemporary nu-disco. While this might sound like a weird hybrid of styles, it's all very much in keeping with rising popularity of Balearic and cosmic disco among aging dance aficionados, and sure enough the band members have all paid their dues in house and disco circles. From the quasi-spiritual lyricism to the lush, immersive production, these guys are serious about what they're doing. And if occasionally they sound as overblown or directionless as their 1970s predecessors, well that's probably all part of the plan.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Steve Kerr).

frYars - Dark Young Hearts.

The debut album from 19-year-old Ben Garrett is slightly annoying, sounding like the offspring of Human League and Franz Ferdinand with half-spoken, half-sung lyrics. The vocals aren't entirely strong, but then neither is the content of the songs. It sounds like the concept of the album was to try to be wacky rather than make a strong release. This may be terribly harsh, and perhaps when played live it comes into its own. Certainly the instrumentation would be interesting to see, but for now this album will gather dust.

Rating: 4/10 (Review by Polly Weeks).

Europe - Last Look At Eden.

After the pointless Prelude, the opening song on this album, title track Last Look At Eden, is a hard-rock fan's dream come true: heavy guitar and bass, violins (albeit computer-generated) and strong vocals care of lead singer Joey Tempest. Talk about setting the scene. It's a masterpiece of 1980s proportions from the Swedish band who brought us that decade's mega-hit The Final Countdown. What follows is quite-good song after quite-good song. It's not bad at all. They should probably ditch the slow numbers like New Love In Town as the band's strong points lie in uptempo tracks such as the following song Mojito Girl. Given that I anticipated this album would be a bit dull, it's surprisingly OK.

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Polly Weeks).

Creedence Clearwater Revival - 40th Anniversary Box Set.

To mark the 40th anniversary of their formation, each of Creedence Clearwater Revival's six remastered albums were reissued individually last year. Now, with the welcome addition of a live recording, they're available in this luxurious box. During their all-too-brief four years together, Creedence created a catalogue of no-messing bluesy rock, and later on to more psychedelic offerings. Their self-titled debut still sounds fresh, as do subsequent records Bayou Country, Green River and Willy And The Poor Boys - remarkably all released in 1969 - and 1970's Cosmo's Factory. The wind had fallen from their sails a little by the time of Pendulum and last album Mardi Gras, but still, what a body of work this is.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Andy Welch).

Jamie T - Kings And Queens.

This is the second album from 23-year-old Londoner Jamie Alexander Treays. His debut, sounding like a cross between Mike Skinner and Just Jack, was exceptionally annoying. That said, this is a great improvement. His style has matured, and instead of just sounding like he's suffering with the after-effects of taking illicit substances, it is a highly-polished, thoughtful offering. Sticks'n'Stones, the first song to be taken from the album, is a great single choice while Chaka Demus and British Intelligence are also strong songs. Well done Jamie T for turning it around. Well done indeed.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Polly Weeks).

Megadeth - Endgame.

From the moment Dialectic Chaos opens Endgame, all thundering drums and acrobatic guitar shredding, it's obvious that Megadeth's 12th album isn't going to usher in some dramatic change in direction. While Endgame isn't original, it is convincing, with singer and guitarist Dave Mustaine, once of Metallica, hanging all he has on every syllable and guitar solo. And there are many. This Day We Fight is thrilling, while 44 Minutes rallies against the George W Bush administration, as does much of the rest of the album. He might have left office and been replaced by Mr Obama, but having produced such a return to form, we shouldn't nitpick with Megadeth. Just enjoy it for what it is.

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Andy Welch).

Singles by Polly Weeks.

:: Paramore - Ignorance.

One of the biggest Emo bands out there, and the American trio prove why on this powerful single.

:: Madonna - Celebration.

A euphoric dance number, this is more club banger than pop-u-licious but fans will still approve.

:: Florence And The Machine - Drumming Song.

One of the UK's brightest hopes, Mercury Prize nominee Florence returns with this Chrissie Hynde and Bat For Lashes-inspired song.

On the road.

Live reviews.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Koko, London, September 2.

When Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela took to the stage with their furious Spanish guitar-playing and mash-up-style delivery, it was hard to tell where one song started and another stopped. This didn't detract from their endless display of unique talent. They sat before a backdrop of live footage filmed from the necks of their guitars, giving an intimate view of their frantic fingers and hands rapping against wood. Microphones inside their instruments amplified the squeaking and plucking of strings, deep bass notes and glitchy electro sounds. Rodrigo showed his playful and diverse side, using a beer bottle during a slide-guitar solo. The two ploughed through genres at break-neck speed, including one of their major influences, metal, as they covered Orion and Battery by Metallica and a snippet of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army. Feigning the end of several songs only to play on became a little predictable, but it all added to the anticipation during their feverish show.

(Review by Tori Mayo).

Clapham Common Weekender: SW4 and Get Loaded - London, August 29-30.

With the sold-out two-day event falling on the August Bank Holiday, festival-goers took full advantage of the extra day off from the 9-5 by dancing their socks off to the likes of Orbital, Sasha & John Digweed and Armin Van Buuren. South-West Four set the pace on the Saturday from its early noon start time. An Ibiza-style atmosphere, with punters in bikinis and vest tops raving to the likes of David Guetta and Eric Prydz's pumping house. By 5pm, the air of euphoria remained, leaving the other dance tents empty as the crowd soaked up the rare British sunshine, quaffing Pimms as they did so. It was left for Sasha & John Digweed to close the day - it was just a shame about the early 9pm curfew. Sunday's Get Loaded In The Park indie-dance day bought rainclouds and a more subdued crowd, which suited the moodier rock 'n' roll vibe. The biggest crowd of the day belonged to Orbital, who closed the set. Brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll began with quirky mixes of Belinda Carlisle and Bon Jovi classics but soon whipped the crowd into a frenzy with their own style of hypnotising tracks: Halcyon + On + On, Impact (The Earth is Burning) and ultimate crowd pleaser Chime.

(Review by Lisa Haynes).

Upcoming tours.

:: Snow Patrol will return to the UK for a tour with a difference. Titled the Reworked Tour, they'll be inviting special guests onstage to play alternative versions of their classics. The fun begins November 18 at the Brighton Centre and ends the last day of that month at Glasgow's Clyde Auditorium. For more information visit www.myspace.com/snowpatrol.

:: Former Mercury Prize winners Gomez head off on a UK tour in November. The Southport band start in Coventry then take in Northampton, Brighton, Southampton, Exeter, London, Sheffield, Whitehaven and Edinburgh. See www.gomeztheband.com for more details.