Topic are really spoiling us on Record Store Day this Saturday 18th April. They have announced a limited vinyl reissue of a seminal folk album, Anne Briggs’ self-titled LP, originally issued by Topic in 1971. This is a gem in the Topic crown, one you don’t want to miss.

We’ve a special guest mix from Sharron Kraus – singer of traditional folk songs, a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The mix is loosely themed around Beltane and the month of May. As well as drawing on the folk traditions of England and Appalachia, Sharron’s own music is influenced by gothic literature, surrealism, myth and magick. Enjoy.

Loyalty is an album full of wonderful, enigmatic murkiness, an album that should earn The Weather Station a place at the top table of Canadian songwriters. From the start her songwriting is assured and the musicianship – aided by Afie Jurvanen of Bahamas and Feist collaborator Robbie Lackritz – creates just the right balance of iciness and warmth.

To say Marika Hackman’s album ‘We Slept At Last’ is a warts and all album is an understatement. The flashlight’s glare is upturned and fixed on that frightful grimacing profile we all know only too well. Yet the radiant glow seems to embrace the blemishes and frailties. In fact it goes deeper, to reveal the unpredictable, eccentric and beautiful person hidden behind them.

Our Song of the Day is from Olivia Chaney with ‘Imperfections’ which features on her debut album ‘The Longest River’. The video below is from a live performance at The Living Room in New York City.

Kris Drever and Boo Hewerdine, both exceptional on their own, bring their collaborative skills to Last Man Standing a duo EP of song craft at its finest. With the tour just underway and the first date tonight, there will be a chance to see just how far that Kris and Boo can push this partnership. With two songwriters as good as this pairing you should make every effort to see …

Listening to These Gathered Branches, it’s hard to believe that it’s The Foxglove Trio’s debut album, such is its combined depth and breadth. Its wholeness and maturity bodes well for the band’s future.

On ‘Strange Tails’ Lord Huron has now blossomed into a full orchard of radio friendly, hugely infectious melodies and hooks, drenched in reverb and with punchy arrangements and instrumentation. This should see the band step out of the cult shadows and into the mainstream Americana spotlight.

Topic Records are to release an anniversary limited edition of Martin Carthy’s very first solo album released in 1965 on the Fontana label. Re-mastered for 180g audiophile vinyl, it includes the original liner notes and additional illustrative material. It sounds amazing as well!

Watch The Demon Barbers performing May Song in session for the Durbervilles Folk and Roots Show on BBC Leeds. The track features on their new album Disco at the Tavern, the highly anticipated follow up to The Lock In. Catch them on tour from this month.

Our Song of the Day is from Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr with ‘Ruben’ which will be released by Topic Records as a special 7″ double-A sided vinyl single along with the track Dark Honey from their forthcoming album Murmurs.

Hailing from Glasgow, Robin Adams provides a garden of earthly delights on his latest release. The theme of the struggling artist informs much of the material – not surprising when you read of Robin’s own battles. Evocative at times of the vocals of John Martyn and the guitar work of Bert Jansch.