Peter Shaw

Chamfer is a mini-masterpiece that rewards multiple listens. A labour-of-love release from this brilliant young artist, one who is happy to plough his own depths, both physical and mental.

In these days of polished pop-stars, celebrity couples and the pressure to curate your life on social media to photoshopped perfection, it’s refreshing to find an artist as honest as Kenneth J Nash.

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman have steadily grown in reputation and admiration and they have reached a peak with Personae, a fine and accessible album on the surface but built on firm foundations of skilful songwriting, world-class arrangements and performances underneath.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominated singer-songwriter Jack Cookson has recorded a new six-track EP titled Chamfer – ‘It’s really good and I’m really proud of it,’ says Jack – and he is looking for backers so it can be released on CD and vinyl in April.

Stick in the Wheel’s ‘Follow Them True’ establishes them as a band with a singular vision. Yes, it is a brilliant album and will undoubtedly gain great acclaim, but it’s more than just an album for 2018, this is something to treasure for many years to come.

There are obscure albums, lost albums and ultra-rare albums, and then there is All on the First Day by Tony, Caro & John. An extreme-DIY effort that was first released in 1972 and limited to only 100 copies.

As he so ably demonstrates on ‘Carry Fire’, Robert Plant is a musical traveller, still on the journey stopping off where the music takes him. With American blues still at the core, the music also spans the continents taking in Africa, Asia and European themes. Long may the fire he carries burn ever brighter…

Wanderer is Cara Dillon’s most satisfying album since her astonishing self-titled debut in 2001. “…something deeper is going on with Wanderer and you get the feeling this is an album that had to be recorded, rather than one that they planned.”

John Smith’s Headlong is a restrained and affecting album from a master craftsman. What it lacks in happy hooks, it makes up for in slow-burn – these are songs to enjoy as they unfold over many listens.

On Acoustic Rarities, Richard Thompson offers an opportunity to see the scope of his multiple talents. As well as giving us new takes on familiar songs there are a few gems balanced out by some fantastic new material.

It is Jack Rutter’s ability to live and breathe these songs and invite listeners to do the same that elevates this majestic work to something very special indeed. Hills is a vital, enthralling record which showcases his storytelling.

Trawling through these lost songs I never thought would see the light of day was definitely a favourite aspect of this release. But no one would describe it as one of the best Fairport Convention albums…