David Kidman

With ‘Sule Skerry’, Hildaland, featuring Scottish fiddler Louise Bichan and American mandolinist Ethan Setiawan, deliver a refreshing and delectable debut album not to be missed.

Clive Carroll describes John Renbourn as a true pioneer, an ever-questing spirit who continues to inspire – on his well-filled double album, ‘The Abbot’, he’s an ideal conduit for John’s spirit.

Letle Telt, the debut album of Glasgow-based folk singer Lainey Dempsey is magic! A humble and honest endeavour, shot through with truth and integrity, great singing and writing. Her ability to communicate the messages and essence of her songs and stories is a true gift.

Eliza Skelton’s The Lookerer is a haunting and beguiling album that entrances with its excitingly lush sound world. Her assured yet gentle and mysteriously captivating voice binds the disarmingly otherworldly vibe of the musical settings with the down-to-earth mysticality of her lyrical and philosophical vision.

A new mini-album showcases The Scrub Jay Orchestra – the name adopted by the well-matched Hot Vultures (Ian A. Anderson & Maggie Holland) and “wunderkind” guitarist Martin Simpson when touring in 1979.

Exhilarating right through to the very last downbeat, Tilham proves a brilliantly fiery and tremendously satisfying set that embodies par excellence, the “inimitable, driving, drone-based wall-of-sound“ that will forever be associated with the Blowzabella name.

Bold Reynold is a well-overdue debut from David Carroll. Trademark excellence and totally splendid musicianship abound…it will surely come to be regarded as a folk-rock classic and a prime example of the very best the sub-genre has to offer.

Juni Habel’s Carvings is a captivating musical and poetic experience, a fearless conception that is thoroughly contemporary while almost traditional in its authenticity of expression and directness of communication. Juni is a voice that needs to be heard.

Army of Briars’ ‘Made From A Broken Star’ is one of those fabulous (if at times demanding) albums that comes along only once in a very long while. Keep an open mind, and you’ll discover this is a CD to be grabbed, explored at length and cherished – you’ll not hear its like anywhere…

Hark The Voice That Sings For All is a terrific album. It’s Alison O’Donnell’s exhortation to listen. She is the archetypal dramatic storyteller in song, who can lay claim to being truly the voice that sings for all.

With Mousehold, The Shackleton Trio have delivered a fresh and masterful album that includes inspired retellings of largely unsung local ballads and broadsides from Norfolk. They’ve already built a healthy following, but this is sure to see that grow still further.

Topette’s ‘Bourdon’ is another album of delectably intoxicating grooves. The special blend of instrumental timbres, which when joyously carried aloft in the signature vigorously driven yet expertly controlled playing style, makes for a band sound that is literally unique.