Glenn Kimpton

Featuring music from Joseph Allred, Rob Noyes, Jesse Sheppard, Isasa, D.C Cross, Nick Jonah Davis and many more, Buck Curran has curated a stunning tribute to the guitarist Steffen Basho-Junghans. This amount of musical quality and artistic depth is rarely found on one compilation. 

Joined by a number of gifted vocalists, Ben Walker’s ‘Banish Air from Air’ is a beautifully realised project, a fascinating, surprising and multi-faceted album of music, quite unlike anything you are likely to have heard before.

More experimental in character and challenging in places than his last album, Bile Bear’s “Cage Mates” is a sure sign of creative progression from a musician who remains intriguing and quite singular. 

For his solo release ‘While You Were Slumbering’, Joseph Decosimo plays to his strengths, crafting a magical tapestry of old time songs and instrumentals with minimal but effective embellishments from a host of guest players, including Alice Gerrard.

Fireside Stories provides a fascinating insight into the music of Hebden Bridge musician Trevor Beales whose life was cut short in 1987 when he was just 33. His vocal style elevates his intimate songs and gives them character and gravitas that make these unearthed recordings so rewarding.

Read the first of our Top 10 Albums of 2022 lists from our core reviewers – Glenn Kimpton’s selections include: The Watersons, Daniel Bachman, Siskin Quartet, Andrew Tuttle, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Hushman and more.

This exciting double release from New York-based Lily Tapes and Discs sees Hour guitarist Michael Cormier-O’Leary drop his first recording of solo piano improvisations and JR Samuels follows his ace Hand Like God with a new set of guitar songs, enhanced by MIDI expression.

Featuring a number of special guests, Neal Heppleston’s ‘Plankton and the Whale Shark’ is mesmerising in its weird beauty; a strange, hypnotic soundscape that will magnetise and bewitch.

There is an elegance and quiet confidence throughout Hushman that makes it hard to resist. Full of balance, elegance and consideration…Perfectly pitched and performed, Ewan MacPherson’s Hushman is a little masterpiece of confidence and understatement. Wonderful.

Many will find the music on Bouquet challenging, but there is so much to enjoy here, and it is a high point in Robbie Basho’s career. This version is now the benchmark; beautifully packaged…an extraordinary album and a truly essential purchase.

The Bellowhead and Leveret fiddle maestro Sam Sweeney talks about the creative process of his new solo album Escape That, a deeply personal set that sees him at his most dynamic and liberated.

You, Golden, the first duo record from Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell, was always one to look forward to. Uplifting, probing and exciting, as well as wise and patient, it is an album to return to and savour. Excellent stuff.