Richard Hollingum

Offcuts and Oddities showcase the commitment of the Shovel Dance Collective to playing traditional music that speaks of working-class solidarity. The album features some cracking tunes that will leave you wanting more. Excellent.

Enjoy unique guitar playing with breathtaking creativity and a new Collective approach to traditional tunes on the latest Betwixt & Between Tapes instalment featuring guitarist extraordinaire C Joynes and the Shovel Dance Collective.

Binga, the latest offering from guitarist and singer Samba Touré is a compelling, intriguing and wonderfully refreshing album. While it reflects on some of the harsh realities of life it’s also driven by a pride for a nation’s history.

A 50th Anniversary reissue of a classic – For an imperfect perfect glimpse into the past, and for its paradoxical timeless quality, succumb to the spirit of love, either, like me, again, or for many of you, for the first time. Excellent – and pass me that joss stick.

On Ballaké Sissoko’s new album, Djourou, the Malian kora player chose diverse artists, removed from his own musical traditions – and transforms each collaboration into a moving partnership, highlighting the deep ties that bind us – a moving and excellent album.

The pictures on Reekinhame, the latest offering from the prolific Kitchen Cynics, are dark but there is a gentle humour that pervades all the songs, and a lightness of touch that endears you to them…Echoes of, The Incredible String Band, Ivor Cutler and Espers at their most genteel.

If you want to hear a fine example of the harp in the contemporary folk music of Ireland, then listen to Ocean of Stars, the new EP by Brídín who comes from a long line of musicians stretching back four generations.

Soaked is the latest offering from Brussels-based trio Las Lloronas – it’s cool, jazzy and has great harmonies. It won’t fit in a box so don’t try, and perhaps it may not be what you expect but this is an album for repeat play. Excellent.

Having listened to ‘Draft’ by duo Hairetis Harper, I know I have missed things: subtleties, hints, conversations. And I shall return, many times. For the listener and for the musicians, this is exploring, extemporising, excellent.

An Bhuatais & The Meaning of Life exemplifies the sean nós tradition and beautifully continues it along its path. By all means, dig deeper, read the superb accompanying booklet, but first of all, enter the space and just listen. Excellent.

Richard Hollingum shares his Top 10 albums of 2020 including Burd Ellen, Robb Johnson, Kronos Quartet, Patti Smith, Avocet, Mhairi Hall, The Bonny Men, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O’Brien and more.

Solas an Lae is the complete package, the tune and the words and the presentation together encompassing the emotional tales of the tragedy of life. To me, this is what makes sean-nós what it is. Excellent.

Kronos Quartet deliver an album of the highest quality, a great celebration of Pete Seeger, the justice he stood for and the encouragement to stand up for ourselves and our community, a great addition to any collection. Excellent.

Richard turns back the clock with Earth’s excellent new Trees collection bringing together both their albums and adding shiny alternate mixes of key tracks along with a selection of radio sessions and demos.

A really enjoyable trio of tunes from Sairie. Their distinctive sound sits well alongside Espers, The Eighteenth Day of May, and The Incredible String Band. I look forward to hearing more.

Joan Baez has given so much to the world, music and activism that it is surprising how little has been written about her. This is an excellent starting point.

The observations, commentaries, responses to the pandemic by Robb Johnson strike more than a note. Listen and make sure that these were The Days We Don’t Forget.

Peradam is the final release in a triptych of albums from Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith that evoke and explore the sainted spaces of thought and creativity – intriguing; absorbing; excellent.