HOW do you cope with being the daughter of folk music’s royal family? Surprisingly well, actually.

Eliza Carthy has carved her own niche and while she is categorised a traditional singer, much of the time she is anything but.

Perhaps it comes from listening as a kid to calypso, music hall, jazz and gospel LPs, and on Neptune, Eliza recalls her childhood memories to good effect.

She contracted a cyst in her throat a while ago and there were worries over her singing future. But on Neptune her voice is as powerful and gravelly as ever.

Few would call this folk music – hey there isn’t even an unaccompanied ballad – and anyway Eliza doesn’t believe in boundaries.

But for those willing to listen, this is a fitting return for an artist who is increasingly becoming as important as her revered parents.

Bella Hardy also began her singing career as an interpreter of folk songs, but on her third album she takes the same leap into writing her own songs.

Most tracks could be from the tradition however, with Written In Green the most raucous and probably strongest track.

A few more rousing songs would have been welcome on this fairly single-paced offering, but Bella has a gift for writing and and her crystaline voice remains a joy.

A bit more of Eliza Carthy’s devil-may-care streak would lift her work but, then again, maybe there’s not much room in the folk world for two rebels.