Alfie Boe – Trust (Decca) ****

In the legendary Village Recorders studios in Los Angles, Alfie Boe is working hard at broadening his musical palette. On his new album, the vocals are as rich and resonant, powerful and seductive, as ever. He has never sounded so coolly contemporary as he applies the extraordinary gifts to a soulful set of country and blues, folk and gospel standards and originals. Revel in the timeless likes of Glory, Glory Hallelujah, Georgia On My MInd and You’ve Got A Friend, Danny Boy and Many Rivers To Cross. A bit of a departure from his classical beginnings, but not half bad for a Lancashire lad!

Daphne Rowbotham, 63, retired, Shipley

Various – Cosmic Machine (Because Music) ****

The 1960s and 1970s brought so many changes to popular music it’s hard to know where to begin when making any kind of list of influential styles and grooves. However, one thing that stands out was the invention of the synthesiser. Wow! Were those records spacey, far out and cosmic? Oh yeah. And many of the innovators of synthesised music stemmed from France. Once the Moog had taken hold it was used throughout the music industry from pop, prog rock, disco and soul. This collection of 20 tracks covers them all and includes many tracks by artists whose names may well be unfamiliar to many of us. Get on board the machine and take a cosmic trip through music.

Nigel Goodman, 55, teacher, Heaton

Friar Alessandro – Voice Of Joy (Decca) ***

Voice Of Joy is a collection of traditional Christmas carols, seasonal melodies and sacred arias, recorded in two very different locations: the United Kingdom and Bethlehem, in the heart of the Holy Land. Since the release of his debut album Voice From Assisi in 2012, Friar Alessandro has captured the hearts of people around the world with this beautiful voice and enormous warmth. His new album is now set to fill those same hearts and many, many more with the purest of joy. Unashamedly aimed at the Christmas market, and beautiful to listen to, but mostly sung in Italian, so a tad tricky to sing along to. A wonderful gift for any fan, however.

Daphne Rowbotham, 63, retired, Shipley