Ally Kerr is one of Scotland's best kept secrets. 'Viva Melodia' is his third studio album, and for it he has secured the services of Biff Smith, the front man of the wonderful and under-rated Starlets, on production duties. This, and contributions from many of his band mates, make this release a sumptuous affair, with strings and brass layering Ally's bitter sweet ballads, love songs and tales of lost love and woe. 'Everything I've Learned I Have Forgotten' opens the album, and from that moment on it's clear that Kerr's heart and soul have gone into this project . 'Man's Man' is another tale of lost love, as were many on his first release' Calling Out to You' and its successor 'Off the Radar', which have won Kerr an army of fans in Japan, Spain and even China where he has toured extensively. 'The Bitter End' is unquestionably the stand-out track on 'Viva Melodia', but, however, 'Future Mending' and the beautiful '5 a.m.' make it also worth owning.