With a name like Joff Winks it's hard to know what to expect. But with stated influences such as Neil Young, Steely Dan, Frank Zappa and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, you know this is no novelty act.

And so it proves - Songs For The Day is a classy piece of pop/rock with definite nods to the Dan - but at the more commercial end of their spectrum. It's one of those albums that grows - it doesn't immediately grab you buy the balls, but there's enough there to make you want to return.

And with each play it reveals previously unnoticed layers of sophistication below the excellent vocals, guitars and hooks.

It's something of a throwback of an album, to those heady days when music wasn't quite such a disposable commodity. As for the ‘days' in question, who cares? Songs For The Day is a damn fine listen. So remember the name - Joff Winks - one to watch.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley