Neil McFadyen

After a three-year hiatus, Heidi Talbot steps back into the light with her fifth solo album. It’s an album that sees her re-kindle familiar musical friendships, forge new productive collaborations and develop her own serene and assured songwriting.

A unique and enthralling project that celebrates the power of collaboration, a shared love of traditional music and The Shee’s ten years as a major force in folk music. The premiere of Continuum at Celtic Connections was an unforgettable event, the album that’s grown from it is simply outstanding.

Symbiosis sees Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton bring their musical intuition and unity to the studio in a collection of tune sets that expertly brings their combined skills as composers, multi-instrumentalists, and arrangers to an eager audience.

The Golden Hum featured the transcendent vocal and sparse instrumentation of Brigid Mae Power, Gareth Dickson’s graceful songs and mesmerising finger-picked guitar; and event organiser Constant Follower’s début live performance.

Ruth Keggin’s passion for bringing traditional Manx songs and melodies to a wider audience shines through on Turrys. The contemporary nuances are enriched by imaginative and uplifting musicianship from her band.

The Fruited Thorn is a moving and incredibly impressive celebration of traditional song. It succeeds in combining Kaela’s love of experimentation with her love of traditional song, a truly mesmerising album.

East is an excellent taster of what Iona Fyfe and her band have to offer, and I can’t wait to hear more at one of the string of live dates still to come in Scotland.

I don’t think any other band has achieved such a convincing and honest adaptation of ceilidh music. Their versatility shines through in the studio, but their hearts are on the dance floor – and it feels like their natural home.

In addition to an impressive natural talent as a singer, musician and song writer, Emily Mae Winters is so steeped in the worlds of literature and music, it’s hard to imagine anyone could be more suited to a career in the arts. Her EP is an arresting, enthralling tantalising introduction to her work that leaves us hungry for more.

JD Edwards and Cara Luft may have been thrown together entirely by accident but it’s a partnership that, in Wondrous Traveler, has produced beautiful, moving, energetic music. I have a feeling ‘The Small Glories’ will continue to do that for some time to come. Don’t miss their UK Tour later this year.

With a new digital single release, The Hawk Moth, classical/folk crossover specialists Mishaped Pearls have, yet again, proven their remarkable versatility. With this release it’s clear that in addition to the ethereal splendour of their 2014 album, Thamesis.

From the quiet, understated splendour of Carry Your Kin, to the sonic majesty of For You; The Breath have achieved a harmonious alliance between contrasting elements that rolls across the senses like clouds caress low hills – always moving, changing, evolving; and utterly fascinating.

Light Up has the multi-faceted appeal of songs that have grown from the Irish folk tradition and reference the life and history of Belfast itself, in an approach that’s refreshing while still retaining an appealing familiarity.

You just know, that when you listen to Robert Doyle play and sing, you’re hearing exactly what you would in a live setting. There’s no need for adornments – the guitar, vocal, melodies, words all speak for themselves. Robert has an approach to music that’s all his own, and this is what shines through on ‘Lig Amach’.

Starless is a remarkable album that features no less than five of the country’s most talented Gaelic singers, former Blue Nile front man Paul Buchannan and the full musical might of The Prague Symphony Orchestra.

As Toronto-based Sultans of String prepare for their first extensive tour of Ireland and the UK this month, we catch up with founding band member, Chris McKhool who tells us about the ethos behind the uplifting music presented on Subcontinental Drift and his own musical background.

With a vocal ability as clear and expressive as a young Andy Irvine, Jarlath has assembled an impressive crew of some of Scotland’s top musical talent and pushed the creative boat out in an album that brings those songs storming into the 21st century.

Boo Hewerdine’s sterling work on behalf of other musicians can often go unnoticed by the paying public, but his collaborators know the full worth of his input. Born gives a great glimpse of his fine talents and paves the way for an album in October