This week's traditional CDs reviewed

RACHEL HAIR

The Lucky Smile March Hair Records ***

Second album round, Scottish harper Rachel Hair comes closer to finding her own voice on The Lucky Smile. Her version of Blue Hills of Antrim(an Altan favourite) lets Hair give full rein to her considerable expressive ability without bending to the temptation to smother a beautiful tune in curlicued arrangements. Her own tunes are quietly confident additions to the mix, while the title track explores the rhythmic possibilities of the harp with flair. Accompaniment is at times oddly lumbering, with double bass and drums sometimes more of a plodding intrusion, particularly on the opener, Back Home. Serpentine vocals from Joy Dunlop on Leis An Lurgainnare a pleasant counterpoint to the harp's clean lines, but Hair's solo work is what matters most. www.rachelhair. com

Download tracks: Tsunami Jack, The Midge House Jigs

LÍADAN

Casadh na Taoide Claddagh Records ****

A quiet, unshowy confidence underpins Líadan's second collection, Casadh na Taoide/ Turning the Tide. Highly polished arrangements breathe fresh life into many of the traditional tunes and songs. The Angel's Whisper, a maritime-themed lullaby, epitomises this all-female sextet's exacting attention to detail. Valerie Casey's clean, uncluttered lead vocals are supported by superb instrumentation and, in particular, by Síle Denvir's pinprick harp and Catherine Clohessy's flute. Líadan fluently intertwine a healthy swag of their own compositions with old and newer tunes. The results suggest countless hours playing and singing in unison – a sure sign of a healthy hunger for digging deep beneath the surface rather than simply echoing the tunes of their collective inheritance. A massive leap forward from a band who have laboured diligently to make this music their own. www.liadan.ie

Download tracks: Ócum An Phríosúin, The Leverette