Albums

Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz’s ‘Simple Motion’ is a highly appealing album by two consummate musicians who have nothing to prove, making music for the joy of it and, in turn, affording that same experience in those who hear it.

Released this month on Ireland’s Nyahh Records, Mohammad Syfkhan’s “I Am Kurdish” comes highly recommended from us – filled with an atmosphere of joy, love and happiness, the release also underpins the label’s strong support of independent artists and their innovative roster.

Milkweed’s ‘Folklore 1979’ is one of the most invigorating and interesting releases of recent years. While the duo would no doubt balk at the term masterpiece, as long as Folklore 1979 exists in the world, it will have to contend with such labels.

Often dark and heartachingly sad, Scott Fagan’s ‘South Atlantic Blues’ is, nevertheless, an engrossing and rewarding listen. He will hopefully be rewarded in 2024 with the acclaim that both he and the album warranted in 1968.

In many ways, Dean McPhee’s latest offering is a cerebral trip for sure, but every minute of Astral Gold is brimming with what can only be described as soul.

Katherine Priddy’s ‘The Pendulum Swing’, is an incredibly cohesive album. With the central theme being the notion of home, it hits the heart and mind with pinpoint accuracy.

Andy Skellam’s latest album, Brighten up the Place, is a bountiful offering of well-crafted, warmly sung, surreally poetic and calming pastoral folk. Don’t miss his album tour which kicks off this week.

Released this month on Mississippi Records, Souvenirs is a lost and found recording of Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru, on which supple flowing vocal melodies meet irregular piano phrasing as Emahoy’s hands roam freely. It’s an amazing hoard of personal, spiritual and national yearnings.

Despite its 50+ years vintage, the music featured on the ‘Les Cousins: The Soundtrack Of Soho’s Legendary Folk & Blues Club’ boxset is exciting, vibrant and from some of the best players and performers of any era.

Merengue Típico: Nueva Generación! is Bongo Joe Records’ first compilation of music from the Caribbean, specifically the Dominican Republic and it is filled with authenticity, energy and verve.

Hafdís Huld’s ‘Darkest Night’ astonishes with its ability to take on extraordinary real-life personal and family stories with such a tender sense of grace.

Demi Spriggs’ music is hard to pin down; on ‘a boy called ear’, she manages to sound traditional and modern, otherworldly and haunting, mysterious and melancholic, intriguing and exciting.