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

I'm With Her, "See You Around" (Rounder Records)-Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan have done sterling work with seminal roots music outfits such as Crooked Still and Nickel Creek in the past, and the Grammy Award winning musicians have now decided to pool their talents under the collective monicker of I'm With Her. The trio's eagerly anticipated debut album was captured for posterity at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in the Wiltshire village of Box, an appropriately rural setting for an intimate package featuring an exquisitely harmonised batch of self-penned songs, with the notable exception of the stunning closer, Gillian Welch's hithero unreleased "HundredMiles."

The Electric Flag, "Live From California 1967-1968" (Wienerworld)-Demon guitarist Mike Bloomfield formed The Electric Flag after quitting the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in 1967, and his new outfit rapidly established themselves as prime purveyors of a heady blend of rock, soul and blues, although personality conflicts and Bloomfield's failing health meant that their time together was sadly all too short. This absorbing live package was recorded at their shows at LA's Whisky A Go-Go and San Francisco' Carousel Ballroom during the band's creative heyday, showcasing their soulful re-vamps of B.B.King's "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water," Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe," the latter featuring future Hendrix drummer Buddy Miles on lead vocals.

The Ugly Guys, "Senior Moments" (Angel Air)- The self-deprecating outfit fronted by former Kursaal Flyers stalwarts Paul Shuttleworth and Vic Hollins may hail from this side of the Atlantic but their musical exploits capture the authentic spirit of Americana at its melodic best. The band have now released a grand total of six albums since their formation in 2003, and although fame and fortune is likely to prove elusive for the five veteran musicians at this advanced stage of their career devotees of life enhancing roots music would be well advised to lend an appreciative ear to fine tracks such as "King of Dixie" and their affectionate live cover of Little Feat's classic "Willin'."

Betts, Hall, Leavell and Trucks, "Live at the Coffee Pot 1983"(Wienerworld)- This newly released CD showcases the potent live experience offered by the stylish but sadly short-lived line-up assembled by Allman Brothers mainstay Dickey Betts after his former outfit's sad demise in 1982. Singer-guitarist Betts joined forces with old band-mates Chuck Leavell and Butch Trucks and soulful Wet Willie vocalist Jimmy Hall to regale their audience in Roanoke, Virginia with a fine set liberally peppered with Allmans favourites such as "Jessica," "Southbound" and their infectious 1973 hit, "Ramblin' Man."