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1 Henri Dikongue Diaspora (Buda Musique 860287). The French-based Cameroonian sings an album of his pleasant, unremarkable songs accompanied by a vari- ety of European and African musicians in a competent, undemanding manner. File under Easy Listening. www.budamusique.com


1 Elza Soares The Woman At The End Of The World (A Mulher Do Fim Do Mundo) (Mais Um Discos MAIS031CD). Singer Elza Soares’ career mirrors the quotidian abuses endured by the underdogs of modern Brazil. No easy listening here. Soares unfurls a gritty call for racial justice and gender equality, transforming the pain of the socially oppressed into a tenacious, in-your-face affir- mation of humanity. maisumdiscos.com


Chaim Tannenbaum


2 Chaim Tannenbaum Chaim Tannen- baum (Storysound 161-017). This long-await- ed solo album from the veteran McGarrigles cohort is a joyous, beautifully-performed record that perfectly mixes folk, jazz, Lead Belly and John Betjeman. Produced by Dick Connette, with booklet notes by Loudon Wainwright III and Joe Boyd. storysoundrecords.com


1 Guy King Truth (Delmark 843) Smooth jazzy blues from Israeli-born Guy King. He’s absorbed a lot of styles, is a technically gifted guitarist but, vocally, although quite adven- turous, often drifts disconcertingly off-pitch. Sophisticated arrangements and excellent recorded sound please the ear but King doesn’t bring much new to the tables. www.delmark.com


1 Jimmy Burns It Ain’t Right (Delmark 841) Jimmy Burns moved from Mississippi to Chicago in 1955 age twelve, and brought the blues with him. A long time stalwart of the Chicago blues scene, his experience is stamped all over his fifth Delmark album. Nothing fancy, just honest straight-ahead music played by a four-piece studio band led by Jimmy’s functional guitar work and his warm, strong, effective vocals.www.delmark.com


@ Jenny Sturgeon From The Skein (Tama- rach 80992 15390). Debut album of self- penned, faux-traditional, folkloric songs by Aberdeenshire singer-songwriter. Sturgeon’s singing is flat, toneless and repetitive, mak- ing the songs sound more dismal and dirgey than they actually are. Relief is provided by Rahul Ravindran’s sublime Carnatic Indian guest vocal. www.jennysturgeonmusic.com


2 Cera Impala Tumbleweed (Cera Impala CIDR03). Banjo and uke playing singer- songwriter with swing fiddle and double bass backing; her best songs are tight and melodic (Little Bird is lovely), and when she doesn’t drift, the overall effect is very pleasing. www.ceraimpala.com


2 O’Hooley & Tidow Shadows (NoMasters Cooperative NMCD47). Belinda and Heidi’s latest collection explores a vast range of emo- tion in intelligently constructed original song: further away from folk and with fuller back- drops than hitherto, but retaining the duo’s trademark intimacy. Often disturbing, never- theless inspirational and rewarding. www.o’hooleytidow.com


1 Nii Tagoe West Is West (ARC EUCD 2641). West Is West is pleasant and easy lis- tening. There is lots of good songwriting, notably Nekeh Noh, Doh Wey and Sumo Eh- Ngo. Many of the elements are there, but the arrangements of the instruments and percus- sion need to be more spacious and dynamic to really draw listeners in. www.niitagoe.com


1 Various Artists Rumba Blues From The 1940s (Rhythm and Blues Records RANDB8026). Four discs, 107 tracks, the obvi- ous (Ellington, Machito, Gillespie, Slim Gail- lard, Professor Longhair) and oblique (Frantic Fay Thomas, Delta Rhythm Boys, Lowell Ful- som, Pilgrim Travelers), an engaging revue of what Jelly Roll Morton presciently dubbed the “Spanish tinge” in US popular music. rhythmandbluesrecords.co.uk


2 BB King Here’s One You Didn’t Know About (Ace CDTOP 1457). Ace’s trawl through the RPM and Kent vaults has unearthed yet more alternate takes and un- issued gems from BB’s mid-’50s to early ’60s period of recording. This collection of 25 tracks (along with the accompanying booklet notes) gives a fascinating insight into the cre- ative working process of a great musician at the peak of his powers. www.acerecords.com


2 Various Artists Bluesin’ by the Bayou: I’m Not Jiving (Ace CDCHD 1471). 28 great tracks of lowdown Louisiana swamp and zydeco blues packed onto a single CD. Artists range from the well-known (Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Lightnin’ Slim, Clifton Chenier) to the fairly obscure who all deliver their tasty regional delicacies to the table. “Waiter, another alligator steak… and make it snappy!” www.acerecords.com


1 Pennyless In The Park (Pennyless). Gen- tle acoustic tumbles which in places could be a second cousin to prog folk legends Spri- guns, Pennyless make English whimsy with an attractive edge. Given a bit more heft their poetry and melodies could make more of a lasting impression. Not bad for a starting point though. www.penny-lessmusic.co.uk


2 Amy Duncan Undercurrents (Filly FILLY001). Scottish singer-songwriter’s fifth album is ideal for Radio 2 night-time broad- casting: lyrical, melancholic, acoustic pop, with soft vocal, piano, harp and string sec- tion. I especially liked the gently mesmerising voice-harp duet on the wistful ballad Fragile From The Storm. www.amyduncan.co.uk


1 Joanne McIver & Christophe Sauniere Musiques d’Ecosse (Buda Musique, 4763129). Double CD of original music com- posed in Scottish traditional style. McIver plays bagpipes, whistles, flute, and sings. Sauniere plays harps, piano, guitar, bass. The instrumental tracks have a simple charm. The songs are let down by their cheesy, pastiche- traditional lyrics. www.budamusique.com


2 Auburn Love & Promises (Scarlet SR035CD). Americana singer/songwriter Liz Lenten showcases her writing skills on this Nashville-produced album, alongside some impressive collaborators. She treads an accomplished path from fragile ballad- singing to ballsy anthems. auburn.org.uk


1 Sanacore E La Partenza (Buda Musique Du Monde 4783291). Four women from southern Italy sing a range of songs in unac- companied harmony. Their repertoire comes from traditional, popular, religious and classi- cal sources. Their singing suggests that they have been trained in a music conservatoire. www.budamusique,com


Photo: Albie Mitchell


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