String Driven Thing ****

Esoteric's latest CD re-issue focusses attention on the impressive 1972 debut album from Scottish prog-rock outfit String Driven Thing.

The classically trained Graham Smith's fluid and inventive violin work swiftly established itself as the most attractive feature of the quartet's rather portentous and doom-laden sound and the recently recruited fiddler was in particularly fine fettle here, expertly underpinning frontman Chris Adams' vocal exploits on stand-out tracks such as Jack Diamond, Circus and Easy To Be Free.

Out now (Esoteric ECLEC 2358 : £9.05)

Del Shannon, Home & Away ***

Rolling Stones producer Andrew Loog Oldham apparently conceived this mildly psychedelic 1967 extravaganza as Britain's answer to the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, bringing over faded American pop balladeer Del Shannon to work with some of the homegrown performers who were signed to his Immediate label at the time, including Steve Marriott and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.

The venture wasn't an unqualified success and Home & Away actually had to wait more than 10 years before it was released in its entirety, by which time the contents had acquired the winsome period charm which is such an appealing feature of tracks such as Led Along and Mind Over Matter.

Out now (Cherry Red/Now Sounds crnow 40 : £9.75)

Wilton Felder, We All Have A Star/Inherit The Wind ***

Houston born sax player and bassist Wilton Felder is best remembered these days for his work with jazz/funk fusion specialists The Crusaders, but he was also in great demand as a session musician, working with everyone from Joan Baez to John Cale and the Jackson 5.

These skilfully crafted solo albums date from 1978 and 1980 respectively and provide ideal vehicles for Felder's free-flowing, jazzy style, with vocals supplied by soul luminaries such as Bobby Womack and Swing Your Daddy hit-maker Jim Gilstrap.

Out now (Cherry Red/Robinsongs CDMRED 536 : £9.00)

Mighty Mojos, Hook Line and Sinker ****

The debut album from Ulster based blues band The Mighty Mojos is a compellingly gutsy and powerful affair, blending some strong original material with energised covers of songs made famous by the likes of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Tampa Red.

Their approach to music-making may not offer too much in the way of originality or innovation but the finished product should still be required listening for blues enthusiasts everywhere, with slide guitarist David McClean meriting a special mention in dispatches for his stunning contribution to the proceedings.

Out now (Available from www.MightyMojos.com : £9.99)

Constant Sorrow: Bluegrass From Root To Flower ****

This fascinating 3 CD set traces the inexorable rise of bluegrass from its rural roots in the mid twenties to acceptance as a mainstream musical form in the late 1950s, drawing on archive recordings from leading lights of the genre such as Bill Monroe, Mac Wiseman and The Stanley Brothers.

Ralph and Carter Stanley went on to become popular performers on the American college circuit during the 1960s folk boom, and their soulful sound is well represented here by classic tracks such as I'm A Man of Constant Sorrow and Angel Band.

Out now (Fantastic Voyage FVTD 073: £9.05)