Glenn Kimpton

On How to Rescue Things, Bill Orcutt plays his four-string Telecaster over recordings of old RCA easy-listening music…although he often resists going full pelt into his guitar strings, he flirts with the idea, reminding us that he still has plenty of fire in his fingers.

Glenn Kimpton shares his Top 10 albums of 2024, including releases from Charles ‘Poppy Bob’ Walker, Ben Nicholls, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Ava Mendoza, Nathan Bowles Trio, Laura Jane Wilkie, Joshua Massad & Dylan Aycock and more.

It’s somewhat a consensus that the magic of late guitar genius Robbie Basho’s music was best felt in concert. Hence, ‘Snow Beneath the Belly of a White Swan’ is a serious treat featuring several hours of music from a true original, an underrated guitar giant.

From recordings discovered on some dusty tapes in Yuma County Library, Charles ‘Poppy Bob’ Walker’s ‘Dirt Bike Vacation is quietly groundbreaking while containing some of the most modest guitar music you will hear. It’s probably my favourite release of the year.

For her third album, Yasmin Williams hits the collaboration button and pulls in guests on eight of the nine songs–Acadia is a gift of a recording, a rural album of gorgeous tunes with smooth edges that seem only to wish you well.

With strong, solid songwriting coupled with immaculate, eclectic music, all beautifully performed, Eric Bibb’s In the Real World comes with the strongest recommendation.

We catch up with Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita to chat about his wonderful new Homeland (Chapter 1) album, a rich, beaming tapestry, and the various aspects of life that inspired it.

For all of the enjoyable free expression present across Blake Hornsby’s ‘A Village of Many Springs’, there is also a real sense of musicianship and creativity; it’s an exhilarating listen. Pull up a chair and allow it to wash over you.

Nylon string guitar maestro Niwel Tsumbu is a hell of an accomplished player. Throughout Milimo, his tunes sound complex yet are impeccably performed; each song feels like a polished gem, with nothing superfluous or surplus to requirements. What a lovely thing this album is.

The Circular Train is Ava Mendoza’s second solo LP of charged avant garde rock, blues and jazz music. It’s an album she should be proud of–no frills, no pretensions and totally ace.

“Another Tide, Another Fish” is an intelligent, intuitive album that demonstrates Andrew Tuttle’s highly creative and inquisitive nature. The late great Michael Chapman’s previously unfinished album now feels complete, showing his subtle psychedelic music at its best.

Danish guitar improviser Martin Kirkegaard teams up with pianist Mikkel Almolt for ‘Molacg (part 1 & 2)’, a double LP of sharply focused improvised instrumental sound. A fascinating and essential release.