The latest releases reviewed.

CONOR KEANE & MARTIN O'MALLEY Joao De Deus (no label) ***

Clare box player Conor Keane reaps the reward of a lengthy sojourn in Brittany on this debut CD. He contributes three original tunes to the mix, each one possessed of a charm and fluency all of its own. The Star of Brittany waltzes the listener into the belly of the collection, a genteel, soulful tune hinting at a freewheeling musical spirit. Keane's other originals are equally fluid: Winter at Lann Ninis jousts with tempo and mood, balancing mournfulness and celebration with a keen ear for nuance, while the title tune is cinematic in its sweep and still as intimate as a fireside whisper. Martin O'Malley's guitar accompaniment is deliciously subtle, though his song contributions are weak and flounder alongside the buoyant tunes. www.malbaystudios.com

Siobhán Long

CHRIS DRONEY Down from Bell Harbour Cló Iar-Chonnachta ****

Three albums in 43 years: quite possibly the recipe for success is hidden in Chris Droney's languid approach to recording. Droney debuted in 1962 and took his own sweet time to commit any further tunes to laser. This third collection reeks of a lengthy and loving gestation. The bare-boned production is pitch perfect. Mostly piano accompaniment lingers deep in the mix (as it should), leaving Droney's crystalline, unfussy style to shine. His finesse fingers with cool authority everything from waltzes as warm as the Caribbean to reels and jigs. His handling of his own slow air Peaceful Corcomroe is a model of succinct understatement and ably showcases Droney's fine compositional skills. A magnificent snapshot of a musician in his prime. www.cic.ie

Siobhán Long