SOUND CHECK.

THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN: ``Psychocandy''

By the time the Mary Chain split up on stage four songs into a shambolic set at the House of Blues in 1998, the band was down to its last weak links. Here, though, is the glorious, churning debut from a group that's still spawning imitators but few equals. ``Psychocandy,'' marking the first volley in Scottish brothers Jim and William Reid's five-album deal with Warners Bros., is a 1985 noise-pop benchmark existing at the subversive intersection of screeching Velvets-inspired feedback and deranged harmonies. Trippy tracks like ``Just Like Honey,'' ``Living End'' and ``Taste of Cindy'' hold up nicely, still retaining a dark poetic power. The bonus DVD here include videos for three of the disc's 14 tracks. In addition to ``Psychocandy,'' the Mary Chain's subsequent four Warners albums (the second-most-addictive is ``Automatic'') have been given the DualDisc treatment.

-- Fred Shuster

KING JAMMY: ``King at the Controls: King Jammy's Essential Hits From Reggae's Digital Revolution (1985-89)'' (VP) - Four stars

Jamaican producer King Jammy's pivotal electronic riddims helped usher in the digital age of reggae 20 years ago with a hypnotic pulse that's felt today in hip-hop and dancehall. This excellent compilation and companion DVD showcase Jammy's (born Lloyd James) innovative sound as well as the young, unique talents he nurtured. From ``Music Lover,'' featuring Shabba Ranks as a rising star, to ``I Love King Selassie,'' calling on Black Uhuru in their early days, these 20 tracks pay due respect to the legacy of one of pop's most influential -- and little known -- studio geniuses. The DVD, set in Jammy's hometown, offers a glimpse of the environment the music came from and the man behind the mixing board. In stores Tuesday.

-- F.S.

REGINA SPEKTOR: ``Begin to Hope'' (Sire) - Three stars

You might think at first that the singer-songwriter who's been compared to Tori Amos might be the overly sensitive type, but Spektor is more eccentric, as you can tell from the quirky up-and-down way she sings ``fell in love'' on the opening cut, ``Fidelity.'' The Russia-born, Bronx-bred singer-pianist, who is considered part of the ``anti-folk scene'' (like Ani DiFranco), often seems more interested in the twisty musical turns she takes than in creating a coherent song. Still, the classically trained Spektor manages to capture your attention with cuts like the catchy ``On the Radio,'' find poignancy on ``Field Below'' and move into a torch-singer role on ``Lady.'' Spektor may take getting used to, but once you do, you'll find she's worth it.

-- Rob Lowman

WILL HOGE: ``The Man Who Killed Love'' (willhoge.com) - Three stars

A straight-ahead Southern rocker, Hoge displays some wit and wisdom about the trials and travails of making in a music business ruled by corporate types on ``Pocket Full of Change.'' Little Feat's Lowell George can rest easy in his grave, but Hoge, who has been doing a lot of small-town touring since his big-label debut, ``Carousel,'' fizzled, has put together a likable 10-song collection. Songs like ``Hearts Are Gonna Roll'' and ``Woman Be Strong'' give rock a good name. You can catch Hoge on Tuesday at the Troubadour. For the album, you'll have to either go on line to willhoge.com or to amazon.com

-- R.L.

TAL FARLOW: ``Talmage Farlow'' (MVD-DVD) - Four stars

There's heartbreakingly little film footage of the great jazz guitarists in their prime -- just snippets of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Lenny Breau, Ted Greene, Kenny Burrell and others. This definitive 1981 documentary on the life and music of solitary six-string genius Tal Farlow goes a long way in fixing things. Here, the unusual story of the late Farlow -- who walked away from the jazz world in his prime to work in peace as a sign painter -- is told engagingly by filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano. Along with interviews, Farlow is shown in action, his huge hands splayed across the fretboard to issue ultra-fast single-note runs and chord solos while playing in a trio with pianist Tommy Flanagan, as well as in a charming jam session with Breau. Musicians of any genre will love this film.

-- F.S.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (The Jesus and Mary Chain)

(2 -- 6) no caption (CD covers)