Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week's CD releases.

Jeffrey Foucault,"Blood Brothers" (Blueblade Records)- Wisconsin born singer-songwriter Jeffrey Foucault may not be a household name just yet, but this former carpenter and farmhand has already attracted the attention of luminaries such as The Eagles' Don Henley, who regularly covers Foucault's creations in his live set. This splendid new collection continues his long standing and richly rewarding collaboration with former Morphine drummer Billy Conway, as the two musical soulmates and their like minded cohorts serve up deeply affecting ditties such as "Little Warble," "Cheap Suit" and "Dishes" for your listening pleasure.

The Haden Triplets,"The Family Songbook" (Trimeter Records / Thirty Tigers)- The Haden's late father, trailblazing bass player Charlie helped to redefine the sound of his instrument through his work with Ornette Coleman in the late fifties. His three talented daughters also relish the joys of innovation as they explore the worlds of country music and Americana, bringing a sublime otherworldly quality to their treatments of much loved standards such as "Wayfaring Stranger," "Wildwood Flower" and "I'll Fly Away." This excellent offering also showcases four recently unearthed songs penned by another member of this supremely gifted family, their grandfather Carl E.Haden, who was a highly regarded radio performer and close friend of the legendary Carter Family.

Nektar,"The Other Side" (Cherry Red/Esoteric)- This stylish new offering from legendary prog rockers Nektar finds the current incarnation of the band revisiting some hithero incomplete musical ideas from their creative heyday in the seventies and giving them a whole new lease of life more than four decades later.Skilfully crafted offerings such as "I'm On Fire" and "Skywriter" are both rejuvenated in this way but the epic title track is the real centrepiece of the album,clocking in at just under 18 minutes and providing the perfect vehicle for some sparkling instrumental flights of fancy from guitarist Ryche Chlanda and keyboard ace Kendall Scott.