Neil McFadyen

Subcontinental Drift is an enthralling, adventurous celebration of the power music has to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, and Sultans of String wield that power with grace, eloquence and spirit.

With ‘From the Skein’ Jenny Sturgeon has pushed her music far beyond the realms of singer/songwriter, to a wider sphere where words, music and creativity combine in an inspired and thoroughly engaging work.

Adam Holmes & the Embers are about to embark on a short Scottish tour before a summer of festival shows. So this seemed the perfect time to ask him a few questions about the new album ‘Brighter Still’.

An album that provides all the Jayhawks elements that keep the fans hoping for another album, yet still managing to strike forth into new territory. It isn’t simply good to see them back – it’s better than ever to see them back.

Try to give the music a name if you will; acoustic-roots, folk-pop – labels don’t really matter and would certainly be difficult to apply. Serenity Sessions is, above everything else, great fun to listen to.

In Under The Cover Of Lightness Fraser Anderson takes us from warm summer love to cold, bleak loneliness. With Allen Ginsberg on one shoulder and John Martyn on the other, he shares hope and despondency in equal measure. And he makes us long to savour every drop.

‘The Things That We Are Made Of’ presents the listener with new songs that remind us of exactly why Carpenter is such a universally admired singer/song writer; just why again and again, we fall in love with her music.

Adam has gained confidence in his own ability and taken his music forward on Brighter Still. Not in a new direction, but off on a gentle tangent that explores what else can be achieved when the quality of the song writing leaves ample space for adventure.

Rant’s début album introduced a band that could shed new light on the Scottish fiddle tradition. Reverie sees them expand on those initial discoveries and take the music to new horizons with peerless elegance.

We talk to Dallahan’s Jack Badcock about the band’s new album ‘Matter of Time’, how their sound has developed and their international touring experience.

Hello, Goodbye sees John McCusker in what’s sure to be a very welcome return to solo projects. Joined by a host of friends this is bound to please fans and traditional folk music lovers.

Claire can cite a personal connection to each song on the album – those connections, above anything else, make this album so enjoyable. It’s those ties, that make Between River and Railway an album that touches the soul, and lifts the heart.

The pan-continental beats and musical traditions are there in abundance and the host of new collaborators bring new life to the music. The Source is an energetic and captivating album….just like their live shows.

The assured performances on this album rival those of any professional trad musician, songwriter or tunesmith with far more experience to draw on. Dallahan are a remarkable creative unit that offer something new, distinct and infinitely appealing.

An album that enthrals and entrances the senses, places traditional song under a fascinating new spotlight and confirms Rachel Newton as one of our most original and gifted interpreters of those traditions.

Sam Carter’s third solo album ‘How the City Sings’ presents a perfectly balanced blend of soft acoustics, upbeat rhythms and fiery rock. A wonderfully engaging release that showcases the wide spectrum of his craft.

Produced by John McCusker, the latest offering from The Paul McKenna Band is yet another first-class collection of contemporary acoustic music inspired by a love of the traditions it fosters.

On Friday night, at The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, The Dead Stations came to the end of its first Scottish tour. The audience had the additional treat of a solo performance from Mairi Campbell.