As a barometer of current musical styles and trends - both in the mainstream and the "underground" (wherever that is) - The Mercury Music Prize is yer only man. The annual competition, which searches out the best music album of the last 12 months from British and Irish acts, is recognised as being one of the most influential prizes going, in that the judging panel always rewards musical adventure over sheer retail sales. Dominated for a time by Britpop bands, over the last few years the Mercury has gone to (then) little-known acts like Roni Size and Gomez and has helped highlight some incredible but under-exposed acts like Norma Waterson. The 12 nominated albums of the year are outlined below, and, as always, they represent most every genre of contemporary music. There are, I believe, two flaws in the Mercury set-up, however. First, there is an element of tokenism to some of the choices below and without sounding like a grassy knoll conspiracist, is it just me who thinks that since Technics (a leading hi-fi brand and the maker of the celebrated SL1210 DJ deck) took over the sponsorship, there are too many dance records on the shortlist (there, I've said it)?
1. Beth Orton: Central Reservation
Also nominated for Trailer Park back in 1997, the East Anglia singer-songwriter has bravely escaped the "female Nick Drake" comparisons to find her own style. Angsty enough, but not in the dreaded Morissette way. Hasn't a hope. The bookies have her at 10/1.
2. Black Star Liner: Bengali Bantam Youth Experience!
The Asian beat sound continues apace with this exuberant crowd from Leeds. This is very raw and very groovy and with Asian music now having its highest ever profile thanks to bands like Cornershop and the mighty Asian Dub Foundation, this is a very good outside bet for the overall prize at 14/1.
3. Blur:
In which our cheeky Cockneys forswear the jellied eels and draft in pro- ducer du jour, William Orbit to "liberate the sound". It's either a lo-fi sonic wonder or a indulgent and rather desperate romp through alterno-American guitar music. It's at 6/1.
4. Chemical Brothers:
While Exit Planet Dust was a superb album, this lacked that certain bumpf! And the cameos by Noel Gallagher, Bernard Sumner, Jonathon Donahue (Mercury Rev) and Bobby Gillespie were just a bit silly. Having said that it will probably win. It's at 4/1.
5. Denys Baptiste: Be Where You Are
This tenor jazz saxophonist used to be a member of the acclaimed Jazz Warriors and is a protege of the great Courtney Pine. It's not my bowl of Coco-pops, but if you're a jazz-head you'll love this. She's out at 16/1.
6. Faithless: Sunday 8 PM
Really not sure about this. The judges have it that "this is an uncompromising urban dance album of great songs. Engaging, chilled out and always rewarding" Others might find it to be techno-by-numbers. It's at 7/1.
7. Kate Rusby:
It's great to see albums like this being rewarded. Rusby is at the forefront of the so-called nouveau folk movement and on this gem of a work, she displays that her vocal style will soon be up there with the likes of June Tabor. Give this a listen, it's beautiful stuff. She's at 16/1 but it would be great to see her win.
8. Manic Street Preachers: This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours
The clear favourite, but it won't win because the Mercury panel rarely selects the obvious choice. As if you need reminding, this is not The Manics' best album but it does have some great moments (OK, two). It's at 3/1.
9. Stereophonics: Performance and Cocktails
This South Welsh band really impressed with an early single called Local Boy In The Photograph but since then have deteriorated into metal-lite, sub-Ash type guitar knockabouts. This album should not have been nominated; at best it's rawk ordinaire. It's at 6/1.
10. Talvin Singh:
This is a great album and without banging on about it, is further proof of how most of the really interesting dance/ crossover stuff is coming from Asian artists. Full of electrifying rhythms, it's a real delight. I'm putting my money on this at 10/1.
11. Thomas Ades:
A major player in the contemporary classical music world, this album is a live recording of Ades's work by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and conducted by the recently-appointed Berlin Philharmonic conductor, Simon Rattle. A very beguiling work and well worth a listen. And no, it's not cool to call this type of work "chill-out music". It's at 16/ 1.
12. Underworld: Beaucoup Fish
"It extends the vocabulary of techno," say the judges - leaving aside the fact that that wouldn't be very hard, this isn't up there with previous albums like the great Dubnobasswithmyheadman and Second Toughest In The Infants. A dodgy choice, it's at 8/1.
The overall winner of the Mercury Music Prize will be announced live on both BBC television and Radio 1 at a special ceremony on September 7th. Remember, put the money on Talvin Singh with a side-bet on Kate Rusby.
