There's a bevy of studio activity afoot right now. Here's a look at some of the bands in the creative process as we speak:

MANSUN have begun work on their third album, the follow-up to "Six," which was just released in the U.S. this week. Initial reports indicate the band's heading for a more straight-forward approach with this one.

THE CHARLATANS have completed construction of their new personal studio, and are hard at work on their first album to be recorded since the untimely death of keyboardist Rob Collins. Expect an August release, we're told.

RADIOHEAD have confirmed that they are again in the studio with Nigel Godrich, working on the follow-up to "OK Computer," with an expected Y2K release.

OASIS are also banging away album #4, this time in the comfy seclusion of a French estate owned by fashion designer Christian Dior. Despite early warnings from Noel Gallagher that the album will have a more modern sound, current reports have the band paying extraordinary sums to have antique mixing desks and equipment shipped to the studio. Results are POSSIBLE later this year, but the full-length remains hotly tipped for a 2000 release.

And lastly, MARTIN CARR of the Boo Radleys has entered a recording studio for the first time since splitting up the band earlier this year. At this point, it's unconfirmed whether Carr has plans to record as a solo artist or form a new outfit.