The latest CD releases reviewed.

NORTH CREGG
The Roseland Barndance Greentrax Recordings ***

With haunting shades of Beth Orton in Claire-Anne Lynch's nocturnal vocals, North Cregg have turned an interesting hairpin bend in their long and winding road. Ten years on, and with a new vocalist and fiddler (Liam Flanagan replacing Caoimhín Vallely, and guitarist Paul Meehan off plying his trade with Lúnasa), North Cregg's allegiance to Sliabh Luachra's polkas and slides is still at the band's beating heart. These days, though, their berth is wider, their touch more subtle. Christy Leahy's accordion is still propulsive but, countered by Ciaran Coughlan's piano and Dirk Powell's clawhammer banjo on the Mayo/Québecois pairing, Earl Mitten's, it's clear that less is finally more in North Cregg's world. A mischievous sleight of hand that brings a welcome redefinition. www.northcregg.com

OISÍN MCAULEY
Far from the Hills of Donegal Compass Records ***

One of the more cerebral trad music collections in recent years, Danú fiddler Oisín McAuley's solo debut crisscrosses tunes with sometimes overzealous ferocity. A prolific composer, McAuley rushes in where more seasoned performers might tread lightly, filling the minutest gap in a tune - and, as dazzling as his technique might be, at times it overwhelms. Still, there's a gorgeous hiccupping innocence in Tune for Gillian, his fiddle jousting with cello and guitar, their fluidity reminiscent of Van Morrison during his Beautiful Vision period. McAuley's handling of Highland, a lesser known tune from fellow countyman John Doherty, is a masterclass in the fine art of reinvention. Bold, unpredictable and challenging in equal measure. www.compassrecords.com