Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week's alternative CD releases Gilbert O'Sullivan, "The Essential Collection" (Union Square Music)- Gilbert O'Sullivan's effortlessly melodic approach to his art brought the Irish born singer-songwriter an impressive run of chart success during the early seventies, including million selling singles such as "Get Down," "Clair" and "Alone Again (Naturally)." As is so often the case with pop phenomenons the masses gradually lost interest in Gilbert's lyrically inventive brand of romanticism as the decade wore on but this fine performer has soldiered on regardless, and the content of Union Square's excellent new anthology draws on almost half a century's worth of exemplary music-making.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "Skeleton Tree" (Bad Seed Ltd.)- The recent untimely death of Nick Cave's teenage son Arthur dealt a shattering emotional blow to the Australian balladeer, and the still all too raw pain of bereavement informs much of his utterly compelling new album. The opening track,"Jesus Alone," is the centrepiece of the set, explicitly referring to Arthur's tragic fall from a Sussex cliff in an eloquent expression of personal grief alongside the similarly heartrending "Girl In Amber" and "Distant Sky."

"Down Home Blues - Detroit" (Wienerworld)- Detroit is probably best known as the home of Tamla Motown Records but some fine blues musicians have also recorded in the Motor City over the years, and this excellent 3CD set supplies a vivid insight into the vibrant musical culture which flourished there during the immediate post war period , drawing on recordings made between 1948 and 1962. Luminaries such as John Lee Hooker, Doctor Ross and Eddie Burns make their telling contributions to the proceedings alongside a string of lesser known but equally compelling performers who were probably never even household names in their own households, including pianist Detroit Count and Arkansas born harmonica ace Little Daddy Walton.

"The Very Best of Booker T & The Mg's" (Union Square)- The title of this splendid new anthology is something of a misnomer, as it focusses attention on the first few years of this highly influential band's recorded repertoire, ignoring later successes such as "Hang 'Em High" and the classic "Time Is Tight." As a showcase for all that's best in Memphis soul it's still well nigh indispensable however, with the sublime interplay between keyboardist Booker T. Jones and guitarist Steve Cropper illuminating a string of memorable instrumentals led by "Hip Hug-Her," " Groovin'" and their debut hit, "Green Onions."