An Introduction To Martin Simpson more than adequately showcases both his undoubted skills as one of the world’s finest acoustic, finger-style and slide guitarists but also his transformation into one of the folk world’s undoubted national treasures.

Listen to ‘Blind to the Pain’, taken from Many Moons Ago, the new EP from Belfast born Gareth Dunlop, a multi-instrumentalist, engineer and producer. He follows the release of the EP with a run of UK tour dates in June supporting Michael Malarkey, heading through London, Glasgow and Dublin.

On Matchstick Men, a mingling of Celtic rock and quiet introspection shades much of the album, the songs steeped in reflection and a sense of unease with the present and who or what we are. Despite the self-doubts implicit in the title and many of the lyrics, there’s nothing rudimentary about this.

KELD is an album of eerie, understated beauty that combines folk traditions with experimental soundscapes. Both timeless and modern, it connects old and new and adds another fascinating chapter to the ever-evolving saga of British folk music.

Marlon Williams has revealed his new video for “Party Boy” which he directed himself. It’s taken from his recent album, Make Way For Love.

Castle has long had a fascination with the notion of death and transformation, here, inspired by Joan Didion’s book about grieving – On Grim Reaper, she talks of how her songs hold “the colours of my life.”  They are iridescent.

Sam Duckworth of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly has collaborated with the award-winning artist Rebecca Hendin on the video for his new single ‘Animate’ which takes us into a hybrid world where the natural and technological fiercely collide and compete for your attention. Sound familiar?

Part of the Light finds Ray LaMontagne back on the more familiar territory of hooks and choruses, folkier offerings and psychedelic hues that let the sunshine in.

Mulberry is a short film by Paul Stone about the gentrification of a small section of Manhattan where the rich and famous have chosen to live.

There’s no faulting this impressive and career-making debut from Kashena Sampson which finally gets a UK release in time for a string of UK dates.

Congratulations to the Five winners of our recent Vinyl Giveaway who will receive a copy of Anne Brigg’s Sing A Song For You LP and June Tabor’s Ashore.

Anna and Elizabeth are curators of a rich and varied musical tradition, of which change and growth is also an important part. This willingness to experiment has helped produce a piece of work that, if there is any justice in the world, will be recognised as one of the groundbreaking American folk albums of this century.