Closing Time have been off the radar for a while so there's a welcome return with their new CD This Life.

The duo of Matt Price on vocals and Leon Chant on piano and hammond organ have spent the past 16 months recording the ten track CD which features the talents of many local musicians such as Al Vosper and Claire Furley.

It's a change from their first CD Where Shadows Fall, with a more rounded and full sound. There's some brilliant horn arrangements, kicking off with The Way You Love Me Everyday.

Easily an album that would play perfectly on Radio 2, Jazz FM, or any late-night cruising radio station.

Sixteen years, over 3,000 gigs and the Hamsters are still going strong. Rated by Whispering Bob Harris as "Fabulous - one of Britain's very best live bands" the Hamsters are going to play a intimate gig at the Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff on April 17.

Guitarist Slim said: "We've been asked to record another session for Paul Jones' Radio Two blues show, to be broadcast in the Autumn and work has begun on a new studio album, for release later this year. We also recently filmed a concert for DVD release."

The trio also contributed a track for inclusion in the BBC Radio Two series Bright Lights, Big City which documents the story of British Rhythm and Blues from the fifties to the modern day.

So, if you like your guitar rock and blues to have that special ZZ Top, Jimi Hendrix swing, get along to Riga.

Admission £8. Doors 8.30pm. 07960 442331

Deep Fix are slightly Doors-ish, heavy on the Stones, bit of the Oasis-tinge, perhaps even a touch of Primal Scream. They caused the 200-strong audience to stand in awe, sway, jump and cheer each of their tunes. Even their final tune - a cover of a Beatles classic - was truly awesome.

The five piece, made up of Jay West, Rob Scillitoe, Jay Smith, Barney Hall and Danny Brown, combine West Coast psychedelia and folk/garage rock with dirty funk and indie noise-pop.

Danny said: "We're friends through various local bands and from dj-ing and drinking at venues such as Saks - the Blue Meanie - and the Sun Rooms.

"We've been together for about six months, have just finished a self-titled four-track EP, and are now looking forwards to gigging the Essex and London pub circuit."

The CD is very impressive but really doesn't do them justice. This is a full-on live band and while the EP rocks, it can't capture the bonkers energy and music ability these five create on stage. Chemical Rambler is just full-on West-coast rock while It's Never Enough is classic old mellow Doors or Stones - brilliant harmonies and distorted rhythm guitar.

Benfleet band Dexter have released a cracking nine-track CD entitled Say What You Want. The four-piece have finally settled on a line-up of Paul Dexter on vocals, rhythm guitar and piano, Tony Enifer on bass and backing vocals, Julian Russel on drums and Che Diamone on lead guitar after many changes.

Paul formed his first band Who Cares in 1989 which played across the county and in London. In 1995 they signed a management and record deal which resulted with the EP Sweet Jane. A name change followed before the band settled with the tag Dexter.

A broad mix of genres is on the CD, which to my ears sounds similar to Bluetones, Kinks, early Who, Toploader and Cast.

Published Tuesday April 8, 2003