Ever since he was dismissed as a bad Bob Dylan imitator back in the mid-60s, Donovan Leitch has had a reputation for being, well, a bit uncool. It comes as something of a surprise, then, that the pixie-faced troubadour (now in his 50s and living in Ireland) has produced a sparkling new album that puts his younger rivals to shame. As the title suggests, Beat Cafe conjures up the atmosphere of a cool bohemian hangout, full of long-haired poets and cappuccino-swilling jazz bands. The songs are languid odes to Donovan's hippy philosophy, saved from naffness by his ear for a good tune and warm, soothing vocals. Somewhere in music heaven, George Harrison must be looking down and nodding approvingly - this is the nicest surprise of the summer.
