Global A Go-Go, Joe Strummer's second album with The Mescaleros following 1999's Rock Art and The X-Ray Style mines the same concerns that have always inspired his music. "Johnny Appleseed" and "Cool 'n' Out" centre on Joe's brash eruptive guitar but hark back to his pre-punk folk busking roots, with lyrics anchored by a strong sense of indignation and social commitment. Strummer may pride himself as an original punk warlord, but he realises punk can only thrive by rejoicing in Britain's ever-vibrant multicultural melting pot as he does on "Bhindi Bagee" and the Arabic inflected refugee requiem "Shaktar Donetsk". His longstanding fascination with dub reggae fuels "At the Border, Guy", while the Marconi saluting title track celebrates the power of radio to present new worlds and unite communities. On "Mondo Bongo" he dispenses with his trademark bark for a lovely ballad laced with pre-Clash accomplice Tymon Dogg's lonesome violin. This is real anger with a big warm heart; maturity suits Strummer just fine. --Gavin Martin