Medical Grade Music ★★★★ Steve Davis & Kavus Torabi WHITE RABBIT. £20

Musical epiphanies from the avant-psych-prog odd couple.

It’s always felt strange seeing Steve Davis behind the wheels of steel at rock gigs, as his career trajectory, from world snooker champion to DJ and synth player, is unique. Guitarist/singer Kavus Torabi has played in Guapo, Cardiacs, Knifeworld and Gong, and met Davis at a 2006 Magma show in Paris. The two friends DJ together and make music in The Utopia Strong. Both write well in contrasting styles – Davis droll and Torabi more flamboyant – and their age difference keeps this memoir format fresh: Davis was drawn to Magma, Gentle Giant and Henry Cow in the ’70s, and the younger Torabi describes transformative experiences with Stray Cats, Iron Maiden and Voivod. Their enthusiasm jumps off the page. Torabi: “Music is the most important thing there is”; Davis describes the joy of his first recording session on modular synth having just hit 60, showing that for some, the feeling never goes. Mike Barnes