Gren Bartley has recorded an absorbing collection of songs awash with poetic lyrical imagery and stunning harmonies. His decision to work with a contemporary producer should broaden the appeal of an album where the magnificent creatures are the songs.

Esteesee conforms to the exceptionally high standard of presentation of Ange’s previous albums; having already, long ago and from the start, set herself such a benchmark, she simply cannot depart from it. Esteesee will doubtless also prove every bit as addictive as the opium and laudanum on which Coleridge himself dosed.

It’s not everyday we get to feature new music from such a revered British guitarist and songwriter as Michael Chapman who celebrates his 75th year soon. Listen to ‘Jack’ from his forthcoming new album Fish being released on Tompkins Square.

Ryan Boldt’s ‘Broadside Ballads’ is a love letter to his record collection. Now reissued, this understated and haunting album is – no more, no less – a collection of Boldt’s renditions of some of the traditional North American and British folk songs he holds so dear.

Sam Lee and composer Llywelyn ap Myrddin reveal ‘Nose Song’, their contribution to the Body of Songs project, a music and science experiment that brings together some of Britain’s most talented musicians to create a collection of songs, inspired by our inner workings.

Produced by Dave Stewart, The Lake Poets is the debut release from Sunderland singer/song writer Martin Longstaff, one on which his distinctive voice and capacity for forging a strong lyric from his own experience shines through.

Our Song of the Day by the Woolen Men has also served to highlight an ongoing issue – namely the plight of the small music venue thanks to mega-venues, redevelopers, gentrification and over-regulation.

The latest offering from The Men They Couldn’t Hang’s powerhouse songwriting partnership of Paul Simmonds and Phil ‘Swill’ Odgers is certainly a persuasive collection and a salutary reminder of their collective talents.

Winners of the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Duo, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin continue to forge ahead with their third album, Watershed, a moving and very accomplished achievement.

We caught up with the wonderful O’Hooley and Tidow at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival where they performed a couple of songs for us from their new album ‘Summat’s Brewin’. Watch it here.

Welsh band Ffynnon’s latest offering ‘Llongau’, while eminently listenable and accessible, is unique enough to single-handedly and significantly raise the profile of Welsh folk music.

Eilon Paz’s 436-page coffee-table book ‘Dust & Grooves – Adventures in Record Collecting‘ has been updated and re-issued. Get an up close and personal look at a variety of well-known vinyl champions as well as a glimpse into the collections of known and unknown DJs, producers, record dealers, and everyday enthusiasts.