New Releases, Aug. 17: David Gray, Lissie, Esperanza Spalding, more

David Gray, "Foundling" (Downtown/Mercer Street)

Gray returns to his folk-music roots on his self-produced, London-recorded follow-up to last year's much more lush "Draw The Line." The 11 songs on the main disc -- there is an eight-song bonus disc -- were recorded at the same time as "Draw the Line," only at moments when his band was not around. He spent six months recording, and by the end of the sessions he realized he had made two records with completely different identities. The album's first single, "A Moment Changes Everything," was a tune Gray composed for a soccer commercial on television in the U.K. The Guardian in the U.K. called it high-quality adult pop.

Kneebody, "You Can Have Your Moment" (W&W)

The third album from Kneebody, an ambitious electric jazz quintet based in Los Angeles, is rooted in the heavier funk fusion bands of the early 1970s, but has an ear for modern improvisation and catchy melodies. Fender Rhodes, trumpet and sax shape the front line manned by keyboardist Adam Benjamin, who also plays in Dave Douglas' quintet, and trumpeter Shane Endsley, who works with Ben Allison. What the Budos Band is to Fela, Kneebody is to Headhunters.

Lissie, "Catching a Tiger" (Fat Possum)

Lissie ventures into territory not explored on her debut EP from last fall, "Why You Runnin'," which was full of alt-country ballads. Lissie delves into early '60s pop and power pop/rock with the emphasis squarely on her powerful and raw vocals. Released in June in the U.K., Clash magazine wrote, "Her country-infused Americana pop-rock is as close to shimmering perfection as it comes".

Peter Salett, "Addicted to Distraction" (Dusty Shoes)

Peter Salett is best-known for his work in films, among them "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "Role Models" and "Wet Hot American Summer." He also scored the Ed Norton picture "Down in the Valley."

"Addicted to Distraction" is his sixth album, a departure sonically and lyrically from the albums that came before. A brightness permeates the album, brought on by strings and brass, and he adds vibrancy and joy to his lyrical palette while trying his hand at a variety of styles. Trumpeter Steven Bernstein and guitarist Don Piper add considerable textures to the disc.

Esperanza Spalding, "Chamber Music Society" (Heads Up)

Inspired by the classical training of her youth, bassist-composer Esperanza Spalding has created modern chamber music combining improvisation with string-trio arrangements that alternate between the sweet and the angular. Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and pianist Leo Genoves back her on the new album.

Various Artists, Afro Beat Airways: West African Shock Waves Ghana & Togo 1972 to 1979 (Analog Africa)

The mail order record store Dusty Groove in Chicago calls this one of the best compilations yet from the Analog Africa label. Organs and percussion combine in a raw swirl of funk, soul and psychedelia, some of it danceable, some of it cosmic and all of it riveting.

Other releases of note:

Ray LaMontagne, "God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise" (RCA)

John Mellencamp, "No Better Than This" (Rounder)

Shannon Whitworth, "Waterbound" (Thirty Tigers)

Brian Wilson, "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" (Disney Pearl Series)