Albums

What a great way to celebrate 80 years as Topic Records take over Barbican Hall for a celebration of its past and a milestone event setting the stage for the current and the new to come on board.

Mary Ann Kennedy’s Glaschu is a jewel of an album that is wonderfully packaged; impeccably performed by all concerned, and replete with inventive arrangements that present fresh insights to be discovered around every corner of the city it so vividly celebrates.

Le Vent Du Nord are not only the leading exponents of traditional Québecois music but also one of the world’s foremost purveyors of folk music. Territoires is an outstanding release, confirming their status as a pre-eminent force in their field.

Ashlar is a solid and satisfying listen and a very good example of quality Cape Breton Celtic that you’ll want to revisit. Yes, they most definitely are “one of Atlantic Canada’s most exciting Celtic traditional groups.”

Ida Mae have finally earned the right to make the music they were meant to. This is the kind of debut collection that goes all out to prove itself; it has done just that and then some. Ida Mae are definitely here to stay.

On House and Land’s “Across the Field” a diverse collection of traditional songs are delicately handled and the excellent musicianship is carefully woven into the fibre of the songs, instilled with their own beauty and creativity.

Featuring the Afro Celts, Teddy Thompson, Eliza Carthy, Green Gartside, Jackie Oates, Marry Waterson, Stealing Sheep, Honeyfeet and lots more, there’s more than enough invention, inspiration and at times outright eccentricity to ensure there’s something that’ll push your instant replay button.

Sparks is an alluring, accessible and thoroughly enjoyable album which holds the listener’s attention throughout and fully reflects the passion that the duo have for their heritage and tradition…lose yourself in this treat of an album.

Edgelarks have created an album that captures something long-lasting, universal and difficult to pin down: the nature of human happiness and the need for hope, not just now but in perpetuity. And in that respect Feather is an uplifting triumph.

Stenning doesn’t just collaborate with a group of fellow artists. Her concept can itself be seen as a kind of collaboration between art and the outside world. An ambitious, arresting and constantly interesting work of art in its own right.

Thom Ashworth is in the vanguard of a new generation of protest singers. His songwriting is political, intelligent and full of impact. Outstanding.

Front Porch is a wonderfully conceived and unselfconscious piece of work that is heartfelt and honest. Joy Williams has really hit her stride with this one, the album brims with warmth, an unassuming beauty.