New releases by P Diddy, Badly Drawn Boy, an album for Save The Children, a new collaboration for Pat Metheney and some political world music.

P Diddy
Press Play (Bad Boy/ Atlantic)
****
Press Play isn't about P Diddy, or whatever he's called this week, but rather the galaxy of stars he's assembled for a hugely ambitious comeback. There's Christina Aguilera, wailing over the roaring synths of Tell Me, and Kanye West matching his own high standards on Everything I Love. Also popping up are Mary J Blige, Jamie Foxx and Brandy, as well as members of Gnarls Barkley, Pussycat Dolls and Outkast. Rumours that this would be an Ibiza-pleasing dance album have been exaggerated - where he does flirt with clubland, as on Thought You Said, he sounds dated. But his hip hop is impeccable. Through a long absence that magic touch has not abandoned him. David Smyth

Badly Drawn Boy
Born in the UK (EMI)
*****
Patchy live shows and that silly woolly hat have rather undermined Damon Gough's songwriting prowess. Now, having shed his indie label (if not the hat) and abandoned an almost-finished collection, he's emerged with the album of his life. Bursting with life, joy and vitality, Born in the UK marks Gough's entry into the big league. The title track pays rousing homage to a punkera childhood, but the soaring Welcome to the Overground is an Age of Aquarius for the new century, The Time of Times is life-affirmingly optimistic and One Last Dance is a lachrymose closing lullaby. That's a snapshot. The detailed picture is even more beguiling. A fabulous record. John Aizlewood

Various
Colours Are Brighter (Rough Trade)
****
The subtitle is Songs for Children (And Grown Ups Too), which is not propitious, even though the proceeds go to Save the Children. Fortunately, we are all pop kids now. Franz Ferdinand deliver a classic greedy boy tale in Jackie Jackson. Snow Patrol excel on I Am an Astronaut, a cover of Ricky Wilde's 1972 original. More uplifting in a marvellously mindless way are Four Tet's Go Go Ninja Dinosaur, and Rasputina's A Skeleton Bang, a song to be cherished by naughty children of all ages. And if you don't shed a tear over Jonathan Richman's ode to a pit bull - Our Dog Is Getting Older Now - then you ain't any kind of a kid at all. Pete Clark

El Tanbura
Between the Desert and the Sea (World Village)
****
El Tanbura come from Port Said, where the Suez Canal meets the Mediterranean and The Canal Song celebrates this month's 50th anniversary of the Suez War, when President Nasser stood up against Britain, France and Israel. But alongside this political song, there are beautiful love songs, Sufi-inspired religious songs and ebullient folk songs. The catchy tunes are backed by intricate percussion, breathy flute and the rippling sound of the simsimiyya, the emblematic lyre that's typical of the region. El Tanbura are putting the music of the Suez Canal on the map, and play LSO St Lukes on 24 October as part of the Barbican's Ramadan Nights festival. Simon Broughton

Pat Metheny & Brad Mehldau
Metheny Mehldau
(Nonesuch Records)
Artistry can take a knock when stars collide, but this unlikely combination works surprisingly well. Guitarist Metheny (born 1954) and pianist Mehldau (1970) bridge their gap by being securely original on their instruments. Metheny likes orchestral voicings and electronica, Mehldau prefers small groups and remains resolutely acoustic, but both are graceful, lyrical improvisers. And though not everyone's favourite soloist, Mehldau is a natural accompanist, feeding off Metheny's floating, vibrato-free lines brilliantly on Ahmid-6 and Summer Day. It's a duo performance that deserves to tour. Jack Massarik