I can only say that I loved this album, and probably will for as long I can imagine. You can find virtuoso playing, imaginative composition, wonderful arranging and a sense of ‘I’m taking this music where I want it to go, without forgetting the roots of its being.’ What more could you ever want?

Barry Kerr has revealed a new video for his song Illegal from his latest album Boy in a Boat…”Barry’s lyric subtly highlights the extreme differences between rich and poor, and the devastating effects that immigration can have.”

Following a sold-out show at London’s Union Chapel on November 15, the first in a run of UK dates in support of her acclaimed Sugarhill Records release Undercurrent, Sarah Jarosz has announced new UK and Ireland tour dates for January and February 2017.

Emily Smith’s Songs For Christmas finds its strength not only in the flawless vocal performances and the engaging arrangements, but in the messages it conveys, and the delight that’s discovered in them.

The Fretless offer up a worthy challenge to their previous award winning albums with top class musicianship and cross-genre compositions. A unique voice that is both rich, fresh and diverse.

On Black Wind, songwriter / guitarist Wes Tirey makes the case for quality over quantity. Whereas his previous releases were turned inward, this album opens out like Terence Malick meditating on prairie grass. The arrangements are spacious, simple structures of voice and acoustic guitar, with sparse backing from a Telecaster and a trap kit.

All the sponsors of this project can be well pleased with the body of music they have enabled, music capable both of entertaining us and of reminding us of rights, privileges and liberties that we may often have taken for granted. Given the political upheavals of the last few months, the timing could hardly have been bettered.

The Slow Show return with their follow-up to last year’s debut album, White Water. Of Dream Darling, frontman Rob Goodwin says they’ve drawn even more on their classical influences this time around.

Turner Cody has revealed his new video for The Score which stars Cody alongside Andrea Suarez and Honne Wells. The three of them head off in a getaway car after pulling off a robbery. Directed by Ben Chase, it has something of a Quentin Tarantino feel about it and they manage to squeeze in some good twists as well.

Orkney duo Gnoss have transformed into a four-piece with Graham Rorie and Aidan Moodie being joined by Connor Sinclair and Gregor Kincaid. Their new single ‘Waves’ gives a glimpse of a very bright future. Watch their new video.

The beginning of 2016 saw the release of the Songs of Separation album, a project featuring Jenny Hill, Eliza Carthy, Hannah James, Hannah Read, Hazel Askew, Jenn Butterworth, Karine Polwart, Kate Young, Mary Macmaster and Rowan Rheingans. To mark its end a final film was commissioned called ‘The Album and Beyond,’ watch it here.

Like fellow Western Swing revivalists, Hotclub of Cowtown, the trio have a real affection and affinity for the music they play and, while it may, to some extent, be a niche market, acts like this ensure it’s a very vibrant one.