Kirsty MacCollThe Best OfReview

Kirsty MacColl was killed in December 2000 in a tragic boating accident in Mexico and her family are still fighting to bring those responsible to justice. It's taken more than four years to release this, her final offering.The anthology has been compiled in close collaboration with the singer's mother Jean. It's a poignant tribute to a much-loved daughter and respected musician (as well as being a solo artist, Kirsty also performed with The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, The Smiths and on The Happy Monday's "Hallelujah").

The album is a 21-track timeline revealing the true diversity of Kirsty's work and the minutiae of English life (just who was that guy down the chip shop who swore he was Elvis?).

Her first solo hit,1979s "They Don't Know" makes way for 80s classics likeBilly Bragg's "A New England", The Kinks cover"Days" and the Christmas favourite "Fairytale Of New York", recorded with The Pogues. The final tracks brings us right up to date with her last recordings. Heavily influenced by the Cuban sounds she grew to love - the hilarious "In These Shoes" and "England 2 Columbia 0", which will surelyappeal to scorned women everywhere. The album closes with the fitting, "Sun On The Water", a reworked demo which was recorded before her death.

As an introduction to the world of Kirsty MacColl, this Best Of does exactly what it says on the tin - it's a true celebration of a musician who spanned two decades with her quirky upbeat look at life. So don't feel embarrassed at your record store, ask loud and proud, unwrap, enjoy and decide which chapter of her life you want to explore next.