Various Artists: "The Transatlantic Story" (Essential Records)

It is now but a dim, distant memory, but one of the first records I bought was a sampler of Transatlantic tracks. In the early 1970s the label was home to some of the more inspiring folk music of the day, introducing players such as Bert Jansch and John Renbourn to an audience eager to appreciate dazzling fretwork. Irish outfits the young Dubliners, the Johnsons, the Fureys and the seminal Sweeney's Men were also brought into the eclectic fold, joining up with a fresh-faced Billy Connolly, Ralph McTell, a sex therapist who actually recorded the label's first album, The Pasadena Rooftop Orchestra and, of course, the wonderfully-monickered Albertos Y Lost Trios Paranoias. There is over five hours of music on these four CDs and if judgment is coloured somewhat by sentiment, there is much that remains as valid today as it did then. By Joe Breen

Terry Oldfield: "All The Rivers Gold" (New World Music)

Having carved a niche for himself in wildlife film soundtracks, and with albums like Spirit Of Tibet and Spirit Of The Rainforest under his belt, this guy swivels his attention to his Celtic roots (an Irish mother), and delivers himself of a somnolent, mood album, with heavily treated female vocals gushing angelically over the timbre of Northumbrian and uilleann pipes, while Oldman's flutes and whistles emulate the purified tones of James Galway. Mike Colman's violin makes a very interesting folk-baroque variation of Sunset Jig, but despite interesting musicians, such moments fall away into well-used Irish melodic phrases from everything from Danny Boy to Molly Malone. Perfect for the loo tannoy in Jury's Hotel. By Mic Moroney

Toumani Diabate with Ballake Sissoko: New Ancient Strings (Hannibal)

The music of Africa's west coast offers rich reward for those with open ears. This second collection on the Hannibal label by the celebrated Maliankora player, Tourmani Diabate, finds him joining up with his boyhood companion, Ballake Sissoko, for what is a dreamy, lyrical and surprisingly sophisticated musical journey.

The Mandinka kora is a unique instrument with a harp-like appearance and a notched bridge similar to that of a lute or guitar. Its 21 strings sound somewhat like a harp, but its intricate playing style can be closer to flamenco guitar. So much for your education. But this instrumental album is not a sterile study of ancient craft; Diabate and his colleague conjure up shimmering patterns of varying mood, with the melodies woven around the complex playing, and at its best the music has a gentle power and an intoxicating rhythm. By Joe Breen