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

The Blue Highways,"Long Way To The Ground" (Self Released)-This excellent quartet may be based in London but their musical roots lie firmly in the wonderful world of Americana, and their growing reputation should receive a sizeable boost with the release of their eagerly anticipated debut album, "Long Way To The Ground." This splendidly concise offering clocks in at a little over half an hour and the ten tracks on offer here showcase the sublime blend of folk, country, rock and soul which has been attracting media attention ever since the band's formation in early 2018, with soulful frontman Callum Lury in particularly fine fettle throughout.

Calan,"Kistvaen" (SIENCO Records)-A feast of energised power folk is the order of the day as Welsh five piece band Calan unveil their latest long playing creation. The outfit which began life busking on the unforgiving streets of Cardiff a decade or more ago are now firmly established as Welsh musical ambassadors,and this admirably passion fuelled affair was inspired by their visit to the Welsh National Library in Aberystwyth. Their enthusiastic delvings in the library's archives fired the group's collective imaginations and helped to inform the musical content of "Kistvaen," with "Jel Caerdydd" and "As The Night Closes In" emerging as the pick of an invigorating set.

Albert Castiglia,"Wild and Free" (Gulf Coast Records)- New York born and Miami raised Albert Castiglia served his musical apprenticeship as a key member of the legendary Junior Wells' touring band and has since gone on to record nine critically acclaimed solo albums dominated by his distinctive brand of hard core electric blues. "Wild and Free" captures the singer and guitarist in his natural element,performing live with guest musicians including Mike Zito and Lewis Stephens as they serve up a visceral set highlighted by extended work-outs such as "Boogie Funk" and the epic ,almost ten minute long "Heavy."