As another year passes, the propensity for our talented songwriters and musicians to create, innovate and interpret appears to know no bounds. Add to this a raft of often rare but always welcome reissues, not only domestic but also from far afield, and once again a veritable listening feast has been provided. Grateful thanks to all of those who continue to provide us with so much pleasure, not just the “Top Ten”.
Click on titles for review.
Bennett Wilson Poole – I Saw A Star Behind Your Eyes, Don’t Let It Die Away
No “difficult second album” issues for the phenomenon that is Bennett Wilson Poole. Having released one of the finest ever debut albums, (not just my opinion), their sophomore release is every bit as formidable and masterly as their debut. Outstanding three-part harmonies abound, there is no shying away from social/political issues within the lyrics, and the musical composition and acuity are of the highest level, as are production values, in an album which has an underlying feeling of 1960s psychedelia permeated with an Americana ambience. With Fin Scott Kenny and Joe Bennett adding their considerable skills on several tracks, the pleasure gleaned from listening to the music on this album just does not get any better.
Dengue Fever – Ting Mong (Featured in the Monday Morning Brew #9)
For an aficionado of pre-Pol Pot genocide Cambodian music, Dengue Fever have, for the last 20 years, been an inspirational, torch-bearing band who have not only carried the torch but also developed and pushed the sounds of this wonderful country to unbelievable places with their compositions. The first new release in some eight years from the psychedelic Cambodian/American band, Ting Mong sees them move towards embracing more electronic sounds, but not at the expense of the prime position taken by Chhom Nimol’s unique vocals. Presenting as a mellow, almost meditative, offering, the soothing ambience created by the nine new tracks is guaranteed to soothe the listener.
Ecuatoriana – El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga 1969-1981
Yet again, an album from the truly exceptional Analog Africa label features in my list, albeit with a release from South America, specifically Quito in Ecuador, and the music of the legendary pioneer Polibio Mayorga. The label ‘Tropical Psychedelia’ would be an apt description of the music presented here, despite being one which the man himself rejected. His electronic sounds, including, somewhat remarkably, the Moog synthesizer, and occasional accordion, his first instrument, are utilised on his mission to update the ancestral Albazo, Huayaynito and Sanjuanito rhythms and melodies of his region on a compilation which gloriously celebrates this iconic figure of Ecuadorian music.
Eliza Carthy Trio – Conversations We’ve Had Before (Digital Album)
With the combined talents of three of contemporary music’s finest musicians, David Delarre, guitars and Saul Rose on melodeon, alongside Eliza’s violin and octave violin, Conversations We’ve Had Before surely ranks as one of the year’s best traditional folk albums, albeit only available on-line. Every track is an absolute winner, with the final offering, the powerful The Light Of Other Days, one of the most beautiful, and yet chillingly poignant, evocations of depression imaginable.
Gilmore & Roberts – Documenting Snapshots
After a five-year period in which they released nothing as a duo, Gilmore & Roberts returned with an album which not only reflected the domestic changes that dominated their lives over the intervening period, but also continued their tradition of unearthing quirky subject matter. Continuing to push the boundaries of their undoubted musical prowess, as they do here, is also to be applauded. Documenting Snapshots provides further evidence that Jamie and Kat continue to be a welcome and important duo on the scene.
Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman – Almost A Sunset
With this, their seventh album, Kathryn & Sean confirm that they sit firmly at the forefront of contemporary songwriting and musicianship. Innovation and versatility remain a trademark, with traditional ballads being reinterpreted with masterly skill, whilst their own consummate songwriting is conspicuous in its high quality. For those who love a good, narrative storytelling song, this album provides no less than three stunners, Ropedancer, Bound to Stone and Year Without Summer, indeed four, if you count the magnificent Eavesdropper. Hopefully, it will not be another five years before their next release.
Les Abranis – Amazigh Freedom Rock 1973-1983
As an intoxicating introduction to Les Abranis’ rockabye style, this compilation album of tracks taken from their various releases showcases the upbeat and spirited fusion of Berber chaabi roots music with Western styles. Garage and Western prog rock, folk, funk, jazz, reggae, psychedelic experimentation and synth-pop disco blend with the Kabyle lyrics in original compositions as the group, originally from Algeria but forced into exile in France, showcase their songs of immigration, exile, freedom and democracy which took the Magrebi music scene by storm.
Merry Hell – Let The Speak For Itself
For many (read this writer), Merry Hell are the finest folk-rock band currently plying their trade. Whilst their ability to alternately whip up an audience into an insatiable frenzy and then reduce them to almost Stendhal Syndrome levels when playing live is widely acknowledged, it would be a major error to forget that these performances are predicated on mighty fine musical compositions. This double retrospective album, which could be viewed either as an introduction to or re-visiting of the band, is replete with said exceptional compositions and is an obvious End of Year Top 10 choice.
The “Vodou Priestess of Blues-Rock” has exceeded all expectations with Wayo. An explosive album of thunderous energy, possessed of an astounding vocal range, Moonlight Benjamin delivers an electrifying musical performance throughout this album. At times almost primevally raw, there is an occasional let-up in terms of tempo and volume and things are reined-in a little to provide some respite, but the overall timbre of the release is very much one of unbridled, incandescent power which assails the senses in a way that leaves the listener all the better for the experience.
Four years of extensive research into the diabolical transatlantic slave trade has resulted in Stolen From God, an exemplary song cycle that makes for compulsive, if at times harrowing, listening. The range of guest musicians, and their varied instruments, make for a perfect collaboration with one of our finest songwriters. Alongside The Transports and Sorrow Songs, this is, quite simply, an essential album.
Na Mara – Clear Purling (Digital EP)
In keeping with Schumacher’s assertion that Small Is Beautiful, this exceptional E.P. totally warrants its place on my list. Purveyors par excellence of traditional music from a variety of geographical regions, and songwriters of commanding ability, the four tracks presented on this digital-only release take the listener on a short but full, emotional ride, emphasising the fact that the duo represent all that is good within the current contemporary folk, acoustic and roots arena.
Editor’s note: This is the first of several top 10 lists from our core review team. There will also be a Top 100 Albums list and other end-of-year lists. Click here to see the latest lists.