With The Streets currently favourite to win tonight's Mercury Music Prize, one of the outsiders on the finalist list has been talking up his competitors. Robert Wyatt, who is nominated for his jazz-influenced album 'Cuckooland', has told the BBC: "I can't even imagine winning. It's a ludicrous idea."
On his competitors he continues: "There was one I bought already, Jamelia. I like that black British thing. I came across Amy Winehouse's wonderful attitude without hearing her, on (BBC TV show Never Mind The) Buzzcocks. She was fast and funny, she's just got something, like Streisand. I've now got the CD and it's very good. The Streets is nice and fresh, and Belle & Sebastian have lovely lyrics. The big surprise in terms of production and lyrics was Ty, who I'd never heard."
On his own nomination he added: "What I'm really happy about is just being able to bring my stuff to a wider audience. It's not pop, rock 'n' roll or jazz. It's not accessible. I don't do gigs. I don't promote myself. The fact that (people) have still made the effort to listen is what matters."
The Mercury Music Prize judges will decide which of the finalists should be named album of the year at a London ceremony tonight. Finalists Franz Ferdinand, Basement Jaxx, Amy Winehouse and Jamelia are all due to perform.