jim cuddy Skyscraper Soul (CD, £12.95)

Blue Rodeo frontman JIM CUDDY's new solo album. Production on Skyscraper Soul was handled by Jim Cuddy himself, guitarist Colin Cripps and Chris Shreenan-Dyck. Jim was joined in the studio by his touring solo band, The Jim Cuddy Band (Colin Cripps, Bazil Donovan, Joel Anderson, Steve O'Connor and Anne Lindsay) and a number of Toronto's top horn players and string players. Many of the album's songs benefit from the spontaneity of having the musicians set up together in the studio and play live off the floor.