Kevin Bryan explores some of this week's alternative CD releases.

Christy Moore, "Lily" (Sony Music)- "Lily" finds Christy Moore returning to recording activity for the first time since 2013's "Where I Come From," and the fruits of his labours should delight everyone who's ever been charmed by this iconic performer's inimitable approach to music-making during the past four decades or so. Beguiling self-penned ditties nestle snugly alongside Peter Gabriel's "Wallflower" and the undoubted highpoint of the album in the shape of Christy's stunning rendition of the traditional ballad, "Green Grows The Laurel."

Snips, "La Rocca!" (Angel Air)- This interesting period piece dates from 1979 and found vocalist Steve "Snips" Parsons working in close collaboration with guitarist and producer Chris Spedding in a revival of the partnership which had proved so creatively frutiful during the pair's stint in short-lived supergroup Sharks earlier in the decade. The bulk of this stylish set was self-penned with the notable exception of Larry Wallis' "Police Car," with Bill Nelson's distinctive interjections on synthesiser lending added impetus to the proceedings on tracks such as "Happy Sometimes," "Dark Outside" and "La Rocca."

The Buffalo Skinners, "Cease Your Dreaming" (Loose Chat Records)- This eclectic labour of love was created by The Buffalo Skinners, an engaging songwriting collective based in the fine Yorkshire city of Sheffield. Their warm hearted and life enhancing sound draws on elements of rock, folk, blues and soul to create a heady musical hybrid which should be required listening for open minded listeners everywhere as the quintet explore the vagaries of the human condition with wit, grace and charm.

Laura Cantrell, "Not The Tremblin' Kind" (Cadiz Music)-This splendid CD re-issue focusses attention on Laura Cantrell's 2000 debut album, an emotionally direct offering which no less an authority than the late great John Peel described as " my favourite record from the last ten years, and possibly my life." Cantrell's sound represents a pleasing throwback to the classic country music of the fifties and sixties, and "Not The Tremblin' Kind" provides an ideal introduction to this Nashville born but New York based performer's lucid and affecting brand of music-making.