Elvis Costello embarked on a small, intimate tour with his longtime pianist Steve Nieve in the spring of 1996 to promote All This Useless Beauty. All of the shows from the five-date tour were recorded, and highlights from each show were issued on a series of promotional EPs that were later released commercially as the box set Costello & Nieve. Stripped down to their basics, the songs from All This Useless Beauty sit elegantly next to Costello classics, as well as several lesser-known gems from his rich back catalog. The performances are all understatedly passionate, and rank among the best that Costello has given, making Costello & Nieve five discs that any hardcore fan will treasure.

A largely forgotten album in the wake of Sarah McLachlan's mainstream success, Touch was the first album anyone heard from the singer. Only 19 at the time, McLachlan had years to go before she would become the seductive songstress of Fumbling Towards Ecstacy or the sensitive balladeer of Surfacing. Instead, she has more of an ethereal sound, enhanced by keyboards and a lush production that gives it a polished feel. Bringing to mind the '80s incarnations of both Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, the songs here are moody pop tracks that showcase her incredible range more than anything else.

When she delivered Box, Sam Brown had long since disappeared from the pop spotlight. It was nearly ten years since the hit single "Stop," and while she had continued to tour and record, her audience had shrunk substantially. That's too bad, because Box is arguably her best effort yet. Brown has always been a fine vocalist, but her material can be uneven. As Box illustrates, she's developed into a first-rate songwriter, capable of crafting melodic, memorable songs with true emotion and depth. It's mature pop with many layers and levels, and while that may limit its audience, those that want to seek it out will be pleasantly surprised by the strength of Box.

Sam Brown first shot to fame with the massive UK No. 4 hit "Stop" in 1989. The album of the same name went on to sell over 2.5 million copies worldwide. It also spawned the UK Top 15 hit "Can I Get A Witness?". Her follow-up album "April Moon" yielded the single "Kissing Gate", charting at No. 23. Above all, Brown is an outstanding musician with a voice so distinct and powerful that it didn't take long for fellow musicians to recognize. She was a backing singer on Pink Floyd's "The Division Bell" album and worked with David Gilmour on his 2003 acoustic concert tour throughout the UK & Europe. In 1994, she was a guest with future husband Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and became their vocalist in 2000. The Very Best of Sam Brown is the compilation album from the UK singer-songwriter, Sam Brown. It was released worldwide in 2005. Includes the previously unreleased demo version of ‘Stop!’