GWEN Stefani exudes glamour. Reeking of Forties Hollywood panache and style, Stefani looks scintillating on the catwalk.

But don't be fooled by the delicious photo images on the album sleeve. The Sweet Escape is absolute pants.

No doubt, Stefani was attempting to replicate the sales of her previous LP, Love, Angel, Music, Baby, but this calculated creation comes over more as contrived than crafted. Indeed, the use of The Lonely Goatherd on Wind It Up sounds lazy and uninspired in the wake of her previous sample of If I Was A Rich Man.

You are left with the feeling that The Sweet Escape was processed through an audio photocopier running short on toner.

Stefani is a perfect example of style over substance and sits uncomfortably in competition to Emma Bunton's LifeIn Mono. Whereas Stefani is projected as a movie star entertainer, Emma still comes over as the charming girl next door, despite her years in the spotlight as a former Spice Girl and Strictly Come Dancing contender.

There is a something homely and lovely about bubbly Baby Bunton. Perhaps it is to do with the uncanny resemblance of her voice to a younger Cilla Black. This is meant most honestly as a compliment. Remember, Cilla was Britain's biggest-selling female artist for much of the Sixties.

Cilla's influence can be heard to best effect on All I Need To Know and the cheeky Undressing You.

Although the new songs are good, it's the covers of Petula Clark's Down Town, Doris Day's Perhaps Perhaps, Perhaps and almost predictably Cilla's Something Tells Me (Something's Going To Happen Tonight) which really delight.

Although not as obvious as Stefani, Bunton is still a very sexy lady, but she has delivered an album to be proud of. Well done, Emma!

Ian Simes