David Pratt

Royal Traveller not only confirms Missy Raines’ renowned instrumental status but also announces another first, as she debuts as a songwriter, over 11 tracks on which she is joined by a star-studded cast.

Thickets create fascinatingly original music, and Four Last Words is a real tonic providing a welcome contrast to much of the anodyne outpourings to be heard on mainstream media – intelligent, beguiling, haunting…seek it out.

Celebrating two decades of inspiring, original, ‘Interceltic’ world music, Twenty is an ideal introduction to Mabon, whilst long-time fans will fully appreciate the release as a successful document, capturing the essence of one of the most entertaining live acts around.

Young Waters’ debut offers strong vocals, sweet-toned harmonies, stirring instrumentation with melodies and rhythms that alternate from intricate to exhilarating, and all stations in between. In short – innovative, enthralling and enchanting.

The opportunity presented here to experience the stripped back songs in all of their raw glory is an aural delight. This collection proves that less can indeed sometimes be more, and with Distant Days, Steve Tilston, one of our most revered songsmiths, has confirmed his reputation as a jewel in the folk and acoustic-world crown.

When a musician is at the top of their game, as Rab so clearly is here, the results can be compelling; Welcome to Anniversaryville is an album of pure delight and marks Noakes out as a continuing force for musical good in a sometimes all too cynical and depressing world. 

With Pretty Warnings, Lucy Ward has surpassed all previous recordings to release a sublime, mesmerising and exquisite album. A gorgeous, atmospheric offering of the highest calibre.

If it’s her aspiration of seeking perfection in song-writing and performing, then Love Come Down takes Thea Hopkins one step closer to this goal – the pinnacle of her recorded output so far.

Kindness, A Rebel finds River Whyless taking a new and refreshing direction from their debut and confirms that the Asheville, North Carolina quartet are an increasingly musical force to be reckoned with.

World Music Network/ Riverboat Records are to be applauded for their continued championing of world music, and this excellent 25th Anniversary release should appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners.

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.

On the evidence of this recording, The Jellyman’s Daughter, have plotted a careful course and are set fair for the greater horizons that undoubtedly lie ahead.