The latest CD releases reviewed

KD LANG Watershed Nonesuch Records ****

Even allowing for the fact that, as bona fide diva, kd lang can turn on high octane slow-burning emotion with a tickle of her sensual pipes, this is a wonderful album of concentrated ardour, her first with newly written material since 2000's Invincible Summer.

The opener, the sultry, countryish I Dream of Spring, is redolent of lang's debut 25 years ago.

But it turns out to be misleading, as most of the 11 tracks is taken up with sumptuous, layered, succinct arrangements of the kind of cool, intelligent ballad that has become her stock in trade.

What sets Watershed apart from lang's back catalogue of classy but occasionally routine albums is the simmering intensity and invention of her own production and the shimmering elegance of her voice - because when kd lang is good, she is very good indeed. www.kdlang.com - JOE BREEN

Download tracks: I Dream of Spring, Close Your Eyes, Thread

DOYLE BRAMHALL Is It News Yep Roc ***

Doyle Bramhall is a man with an illustrious history. Once drummer to the late Texas blues legend Lightnin' Hopkins, this multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter has played with many key Texas blues figures, including Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

In addition, his guitarist son Doyle Bramhall II, who helps dad out here, has a serious pedigree, including stints with Eric Clapton.

And with this album co-produced by noted blues guitarist CC Adcock, it's no surprise that drums, guitars and Bramhall's gravally vocals dominate the sound of the 12 tracks, all of which reference the blues, albeit in a contemporary context, whether it be the Bo Diddley rhythms of the opening Lost in the Congo, the 1950s rock'n'roll sensibility of the delicious Cryin', or the rolling regret of the low-key closing Little Star (The Moon Is Shining).

A worthy Grammy nominee in the best contemporary blues category. www.doylebramhall.com  - JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Cryin', Is It News, Little Star