Great second album from this exciting big band, as before based in folk but not afraid to rock and jazz it up as they draw in global influences. They gel together to make the music a natural development of their enthusiasm as they deliver shanties, drinking songs and more. Exciting and adventurous.

Graham Radley

Love this, there’s a nice raw feel to the production so the music and songs can shine centre stage and they do superbly. The feel is folk meets singer songwriter meets subtle rock but it’s the songs and their delivery (Roddy Womble takes most lead vocals) that make this enchanting and moreish. Guests include Norman Blake and Francis MacDonald of Teenage Fanclub, Philip Selway of Radiohead, Heidi Talbot, Donald Shaw of Capercaille, Andy Cutting (BBC folk musician of the year) and Michael McGoldrick. Have a listen to ‘Into The Blue’ or ‘Moments Last Forever’ – magic.

Graham Radley

Terrific one man blues band who is a fine singer, guitarist and blues harpist. He’s not against inviting some classy friends to join him either including David Bromberg and Mike Katz with my pick going to to his take on Rory Gallagher’s ‘Going To My Home town’ joined by Brian Miller on mandolin. Great stuff.

Graham Radley

A celebration of 50 years of bossa nova, this 14 track compilation has a well rounded selection with Elis Regina, Carlos Lyra and Joao Donato among the artists helping to flex those limbs. Nostalgia for all the right reasons.

Graham Radley

15 tracks across the board from the opening track of Jesus Pagan y su Orquesta’s salsa dura to the salsa meets rap and reggaeton of Magic Juan feat. Puerto Rican Power, plenty more keeping the party flowing including Los De Abajo, Sidestepper, Ricardo Lemvo and a great take on Bill Withers ‘Use Me’ by Alex Wilson feat. Lauren Dalrymple. Great.

Graham Radley

Great mix of artists on this collection with Jamal Porto and Rasha from the Sudan, Les Orientales, Souad Massi and Maurice El Medioni from Algeria, Zaman from Palestine, Zein Al-Jundi from Syria, Charbel Rouhana and Hani Siblini from Lebanon, Mousto Largo from Morocco and Tiris from Western Sahara. Superb traditional music, highly recommended.

Graham Radley

Soundtrack to the film Tropa De Elite (Elite Squad) composed by Pedro Bromfman. The film tells the story of two childhood friends who decide to join Rio de Janeiro’s Military Police Department and in turn they then try out for a Special Operations Squad whose mission is to take down the drug-lords that plague the city. The music reflects this urban scenario with a mix that features MC Junior, MC Leonardo, Bateria da Rocinha, Barbatuques and styles that range from ambient to thrash punk. Excellent.

Graham Radley

Tokyo’s funky jazzers zip into this one, with with their trademark infectious energy and the music they call ‘Death Jazz’. They can cut the groove down as well as, demonstrated on the delightful ‘Darkside’ or ‘Sorrow’ but my personal favourite is the suitably wild ‘Mingus Fan Club’. Excellent.

Graham Radley

Uileann piper from Kila ably assisted by Frank Tate (bouzouki) fiddler Steve Larkin and guitarist Des Cahalan. Most of the material is written by Eoin and he goes back to his roots for the source. Excellent playing with a gentle but driven approach to the music. Recommended.

Graham Radley

Collection of singer songwriters with chanson and nouvelle scene coming back into focus again, indeed with some links to the past, for instance Thomas Dutronc, featured here with ‘J’suis Pas d’ici’ is the son of francois Hardy and Jacques Dutronc. The French connection stretches to Canada too with Pascal Lejeune whilst Rupa & The April Fishes (reviewed earlier) are based in the US. My pick though is Constance Amiot  with ‘Clash Dans Le Tempo’.

Graham Radley