Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week's CD releases The Proven Ones,"You Ain't Done"(Gulf Coast Recordings)- The latest offering from Mike Zito's excellent Gulf Coast label is this power packed package from seasoned blues performers The Proven Ones. The five band members have seen service with such highly regarded American roots music combos as Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, The Radio Kings and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and "You Ain't Done" finds them bringing a lifetime's collective experience to bear on a batch of irresistible brassy stompers led by "Gone To Stay," "Already Gone" and "You Ain't Done."

Little Red Kings,"The Magic Show Part One" (Self Released)- The future of British alternative rock is in safe hands as long as outfits such as Little Red Kings are around to ply their trade with such grit and tunefulness. The Norfolk based band's deliciously organic approach to music-making has prompted favourable comparisons to everyone from Hothouse Flowers to The Black Crowes and there's also an infectious melodic edge to much of their best work which sets them apart from many of their contemporaries in the field. "The Magic Show Part One" supplies an attractive introduction to Little Red Kings' appealingly timeless sound, with "Weather The Storm" and "Harry's Town" capturing them at their brilliant best.

Ben Kunder,"Searching for the Stranger" (Comino Music)- Canadian singer-songwriter Ben Kunder is one of the leading lights of the country's indie folk scene, earning a whole host of criticial plaudits for his skilfully crafted musings on the vagaries of the human condition. The Toronto based musician's captivating follow-up to 2018's "Better Human" represents a distinct creative progression from its well received predecessor as Kunder embraces his deeply held belief that "the strange and weird can be beautiful too," unveiling subtly memorable gems such as "Berlin," "Stranger" and "Breaker" in the process.