Rob Andy and Sam seem to get more and more confident and comfortable playing in their trio and it comes across in their music. The albums Leveret produce seem almost effortless in their creation, but the music that reaches the ear is complex, intelligent and dynamic. Diversions is the clearest statement of Leveret’s ability yet, an album packed with beautiful, gentle, energetic and fluid works, and it fully establishes this band as one of the very finest in English instrumental music.
Luke Daniels: Old Friends & Exhausted Enemies
Daniels demonstrates that while the roles of poetry and music may have grown apart over the centuries, their essential purpose remains the same: to represent strong human emotion in a way that is recognisable and somehow mysteriously moving. Old Friends & Exhausted Enemies is full of that mystery and emotion. It is the work of a discerning reader, a remarkable songwriter, and a musician with the touch of an alchemist.
From his first appearance on disc, Jackson has ever been a hugely gifted songwriter and storyteller, but he reaches new heights here…one of the most distinctive voices, both literally and figuratively, on the contemporary folk scene.
Mama’s Broke: Count The Wicked
Canadian folk duo Mama’s Broke deliver a strong debut with ‘Count the Wicked, a journey through rural early 20th century Americana that’s fizzing with melodic ideas and tales to tell. Debut albums as strong as this should not be ignored.
Rooted, is another triumphant album from an artist still operating at the highest level anywhere in the world. The musical variety and the virtuosity from all members here is superb, and the pacing and choice of songs is perfect. It all combines to result in a release that is an essential career highlight from the most inimitable of musicians.
Glaschu is a jewel of an album then, and wonderfully packaged; it’s impeccably performed by all concerned, and replete with inventive arrangements that present fresh insights to be discovered around every corner of the city it so vividly celebrates.
It is no overstatement to say that Contradicshun is a masterpiece of shared creativity, the fullest flowering of a partnership that has been nurtured for fifteen years. It is Megson’s most complete album and their best to date.
The small arsenal of instruments and players help these songs hang together beautifully…I think it is this point which sets True North apart even from its relative, 50. The strength of the songs, the simplicity of the strong acoustic guitar core matched with sympathetic and skilful playing throughout results in an album that is lean, unpretentious, wonderfully played and so very listenable throughout.
Mozaik: The Long And The Short Of It
The guest contributions aside, there’s inevitably an abundance of brilliant playing and scintillating, ever-shapeshifting arrangements throughout the disc, with interesting and imaginative scoring to hand whatever the mood. And the apparent sheer effortlessness of the musicians’ virtuosity is never to be underestimated. A hearty, unqualified recommendation for this impeccably packaged disc – a seriously uplifting set from Andy and his chums.
Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds – Singing It All Back Home
Whenever I get my eager hands on a new album from Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds, I can be sure of superb music and song, delivered with passion, honesty and skill. Why then, I wonder, am I still taken aback by the sheer quality of what follows? Singing It All Back Home has all the passion and history of the characters that populate these stories; Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds paint them in a fascinating new light, while holding fast to their enduring heritage in an outstanding album.