I was surprised and delighted to see that Mr Brian Eno was on the Question Time panel last night. With all the point-scoring and petty squabbling that goes on between the self-serving politicians on this show, it's vital that a non-political guest is present and Brian was more than up to the task. His calm, reasoned opinions were refreshingly honest and to-the-point. He even managed to tell a 'non-racist' Irish joke and get a laugh from the audience! His good-natured responses were in sharp contrast to those of the odious Guardian columnist , who's name escapes me.

Brian was everything you'd expect from the elder-statesman of leftfield art-pop. Clearly, he applies the same clear-headed approach to this country's problems as for his musical endeavours. When's he gonna run for Parliament? He'll get my vote, no worries. Not only does he have a near-impeccable back catalogue , but he's the sort of person who makes a great ambassador for the UK. Now I'm not particularly bothered about national pride, but Eno's the kind of guy that makes me proud to be British. And he's looking great...

Is it just me, or is Britney Spears turning into Liz Fraser from the Cocteau Twins? Listen to Britney's latest single (paying particular attention when she starts doing the breathy, high-pitched vocal) back-to-back with the Cocteau's "Lorelei" from the Treasure album and the connection becomes clear....

VERY ZEN

As a happily married father of two boys, I guess it's okay for me to like 'Dad's Music'. Thankfully, in my case this doesn't extend to Bryan Adam's Greatest Hits or some compilation of classic Power-ballads. I am of course referring to Ninja Tune's retrospective "Zen CD" compilation. I feel like a bit of an old fart for digging this collection, what with all the electrodiscopunk and grime (or whatever it's called these days) doing the rounds on hipster's lists. Ninja's distintive breakbeat/jazz/funk/ambient flavas are probably a bit old hat these days, but I can't help but love it, representing as it does more 'traditional' values of what sample-based dance music is all about: harmonically complex arrangements, stoned downtempo grooves, old skool cut 'n' scratch fx, easy-listening strings, twinkly Fender Rhodes licks, phat Moogs...yeah it's all kinda 1990's chin-stroker shit but I'm okay with that. I'm nearly 35 years old, I don't have to be listening to the cutting-edge stuff all the time, so leave me alone ya bastards.

Actually, I have noticed that I've been getting more militantly possessive about 'uncool' music that I grew up with. Like early/mid-90's Intelligent Techno, for example. Does anyone give a shit about acts like B12, Beaumont Hannant or Speedy J anymore? I doubt it. I'll probably be citing artists like these when I'm old and grey and moaning about the crap that young people are listening to in years to come. "We had proper techno music back when I were a lad..blah blah blah". I'm not proud of myself, merely aware of the situation and observing my gradual slide into middle-age (21st century stylee) with some amusement.

I am honour-bound to inform all readers in the vicinity of Bristol that my good friend Dave Branfield and his chums have hired the upstairs room of the The Hatchet on Frogmore Street on Thursday March 4th to host their own one-off club night, entitled "Recognise" ("All bases covered, no tastes catered for..."). Knowing Dave, it'll be an eclectic mix of alt. rock, roots reggae, drone/kraut rock, experimental electronica and perhaps a hint of Kylie (we all have our weaknesses). Gutterbreakz will almost certainly be in attendance. I'll be the tall, dark, handsome fuck loitering behind the DJ's, inspecting their crates and offering unwanted advice on which track to play next...

9pm - 1pm. Doors probably about 3 quid.