Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week's CD releases The Shadows, "The First 60 Years" (Roll Over Records)- This wide ranging two CD anthology celebrates the work of hugely influential instrumental combo The Shadows, whose early sixties output made a major impact on future rock luminaries such as Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour during their formative years. The contents alternate between classic creations from the group's golden era almost six decades ago and some of the skilfully crafted covers of the hits of the day which became their trademark in later years, all of them blessed with a generous helping of Hank Marvin's distinctive Fender Stratocaster sound."Apache," "FBI" and "Wonderful Land" are the best of a tuneful bunch.

Beans On Toast,"Knee Deep In Nostalgia/The Unforeseeable Future" (Botmusic)- Essex born alternative folkie Jay McAllister has established the admirable tradition of releasing a freshly minted new album every year on his birthday of December 1st, and this year he's excelled himself by unleashing not one but two CDs on an unsuspecting world. "Knee Deep In Nostalgia" captures this warm hearted character at his most positive and optimistic, with Frank Turner's production and the presence of several guest musicians giving the package a much more fleshed out and expansive sound than Beans' recent output. "The Unforeseeable Future" chronicles the maverick balladeer's griity reactions to the unprecedented events of 2020, recorded solo during lockdown and is well worth half an hour or so of anyone's time.

Kate Jacobs,"$55 Hotel" (East Central One)- "$55 Hotel" marks the return to recording activity of New Jersey based singer-songwriter and bookshop owner Kate Jacobs, and a more eclectic and effortlessly melodic collection would be difficult to imagine. Kate released her debut album long long ago in 1992 but family life has tended to take precedence over her music-making activities in more recent years, making the appearance of this splendid set all the more welcome. The eminently tuneful contents draw on elements of jazz, bossa nova and country, with the tragi-comic title track emerging as the best of an engaging bunch.