WHEN it comes to listing Scotland's greatest contemporary songwriters many names will spring to mind - Roddy Woomble, Stuart Murdoch, Roddy Frame, Scott Hutchison, Michael Marra, Emma Pollock, Martyn Bennett, Marc Pilley, Malcolm Middleton, Stuart Adamson, Billy McKenzie... the list goes on.

But one name that's perhaps not quite so recognisable, but who is certainly up there with the very best is David MacGregor.

The former frontman of Kid Canaveral has been churning out instant classics for over a decade.

And with his new incarnation, Broken Chanter, his lush legacy continues.

Later this year MacGregor brings his new band to the MacArts in Galashiels for a not-to-be-missed unveiling of their debut album.

Although not released until September the first Broken Chanter album has already been described by critics as 'a record which paints an emotional and expansive soundscape with a distinct sense of place, that showcases MacGregor's ear for melody and dexterity at tugging heart-strings'.

And going by the first single, Wholesale, as well as the selective live performances so far this summer at intimate festivals, the album will be something to be treasured.

MacGregor sprung to prominence with the bubblegum pop classic Smash Hits in 2007.

As Kid Canaveral's sound matured so did their popularity with the stunning debut album, Shouting at Wildlife, being described by The Herald as "a Scottish pop classic that should be mandatory in every record collection in the country".

Although never quite gaining the recognition they deserved, Kid Canaveral's equally good follow-up Now That You Are a Dancer was nominated for the 2014 Scottish Album of the Year award.

Following his band's break up two years ago MacGregor took time to reflect before writing what was to become the forthcoming Broken Chanter album.

And the result, as we're all about to find out in September, is one of the best albums to be released in Scotland this year.

Broken Chanter will play at the MacArts on Saturday, November 2.

Tickets, priced at £8 and £5 for students, are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/macarts or the MacArts box office on 01896 756 852.