RECORDS / The IoS Playlist: The five best discs of the moment

Peter Maxwell Davies: The Lighthouse. BBC Philharmonic/Davies (Collins Classics, CD only). A recording of clarity, conviction and chilling atmosphere, to mark the composer's 60th birthday. Michael White

Johnnie Taylor: Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone (on The Philosophy Continues/One Step Beyond, Stax, CD). Three minutes of down- 'n'dirty Memphis soul perfection from the early Seventies, the highlight of a double- value reissue. Richard Williams

Sonic Youth: Superstar (A&M, single). A fuzzy, dark, aching version of the 1971 hit. You'll never listen to the Carpenters in the same way again. Nicholas Barber

Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Sleeps with Angels (Warner, CD/LP/tape). Archetypal Young, but still full of surprises. NB

Palace Brothers: Palace Brothers (Domino, CD/LP/tape). Stunning introspection in a vaguely country-gospel vein. Ben Thompson