Latest releases reviewed

The Merry Love to Play Cló Iar Chonnachta ***

The raw bar defines Peter Horan and Gerry Harrington's second collection, The Merry Love to Play. Their opening gambit, a pair of Sligo reels rooted in Peter's home place of Killavil sets the tone, Horan's graceful flute lines interstitching Harrington's low-octane fiddle. Horan wears his 81 years lightly, and what he might occasionally lack in lung-power, he more than compensates for in spirit and verve, particularly on the Donegal hornpipe The High Level. Horan's flute revels in ducking and diving between the notes of the tune, while Harrington's meticulously researched sleeve notes and understated presence pay their dues to Pádraig O'Keeffe's revered Sliabh Luachra style. A bold salvo, a triumph of minimalism in an age of effete decoration. www.cic.ie - Siobhán Long

Download track: The Killavil Bucks/Fred Finn's

Michael Black Compass Records ***

There's enough pristine music tucked inside this solo collection from the eldest of the Black brothers (scion of the Dublin clan that includes Mary and Frances) to power a rocket. Guitarist and producer John Doyle draws sparkling arrangements together from a stellar cast (including Seamus Egan, Liz Carroll, Chico Huff and Dirk Powell), yet Michael Black's declamatory singing style at times overpowers his refreshingly eclectic song choices. He coaxes The Willow Treeinto the light delicately, yet Tarry Flynnand Don't Laugh at Mesuffer from an abundance of dogma that threaten to overwhelm them. Subtle harmonies from Frances, Mary and members of the next Black generation modulate the mood a little, but a touch more restraint at the frontline might have served this otherwise fascinating collection well. www.compassrecords.com - Siobhán Long

Download track: The Deserter