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Elvis Costello And The Impostors: Momofuku - Universal

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Devoted Elvis Costello fans find his artistic forays - everything from collaborations with opera singers and classical ensembles to vintage pop, jazz, and country - to be interesting and often brilliant. Casual fans tolerate them. General observers ignore them.

However, all of these observers are happy when Costello moves to the crisp, vibrant signature blend of pop and rock that has really been his claim to fame for 30 years.

That is just what he delivers in the happy surprise Momofuku, a quickly-recorded 12 song collection in which the fire of the lyrics, the singing, the melodies, and the playing recall the halcyon days of Costello. He has the skills and the credibility to do anything he wants, but it is a thrill to hear him here in his true element.

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Jesse McCartney: Departure - Universal

Jesse McCartney seems to be mirroring Justin Timberlake's career path. A child actor on the soap All My Children, who first hit music big at age 12 with the boy band Dream Street, he was an acting and singing staple for Disney during his teen years on such flicks as A Cinderella Story and Ella Enchanted .

At age 21, his third album moves from the teen pop and adult contemporary pop of his first two CDs and his Disney Music work into a blend of blue-eyed soul, dance music, and funky R&B.

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The Homemade Jamz Blues Band: Pay Me No Mind - Northern Blues

Canada's Northern Blues label has become a player in this decade by introducing Canadian talent to a wider audience. It has also unleashed some fascinating American acts, but nothing like the Homemade Jamz Blues Band.

They are a blues trio from Tupelo, Miss., made up of young siblings Ryan Perry (age 16, lead guitar and vocals), Kyle Perry (age 13, bass), and Taya Perry (age 9, drums and backing vocals).

Their debut Pay Me No Mind is a stunningly adept blend of Chicago and Mississippi blues even before one considers the ages of the two brothers and one sister. That 10 of the 11 songs are originals, with the siblings writing the melodies and their father Renaud Perry writing the lyrics, makes it even more exceptional.

This is an act that is not to be missed at this year's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival; they play here Sept. 11. The reminder is appropriate, as tickets for Harvest go on sale today.

Fredericton-based freelance writer Wilfred Langmaid has reviewed albums in The Daily Gleaner since 1981, and is a past judge for both the Junos and the East Coast Music Awards.