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1 Antonio Carlos e Jocafi Mudei de Ideia (Mr Bongo MRBCD140). A blast from the past, originally released on RCA Brazil (1971), Bahia fuzz-tone guitar, Farfisa organ and vocals, a psychedelic samba concoction by a pair of popular composers, still perform- ing today. mrbongo.com


1 Bill Jackson The Wayside Ballads Vol 2 (Laughing Outlaw LOR175CD). Bill’s an Aus- tralian steeped in Americana, writing songs clearly inspired by the real thing but tending to lack the necessary lyrical distinction for sur- vival in the overcrowded marketplace. Even his competent backing musicians can’t lift the material above pleasantly workmanlike. www.billjacksonmusic.com


1 Larry Kaplan Furthermore… (Folk Legacy CD-148). Veteran New Englander Larry’s known for his melodious, traditional- sounding writing (Old Zeb); his latest set tack- les a diversity of subjects with equal authority – there’s something for everyone. Tales gen- erally worth the telling and worth your atten- tion. www.larrykaplanmusic.com


1 Mallebrok Levende Brav (Go’ Danish Folk Music GO0516). Danish folk and a touch of jazz meets electronica. A great idea that worked two decades ago for Sorten Muld. This, though, seems diluted as if the blood is just running sluggishly through its veins. Never catches fire. www.gofolk.dk


2 Barbatuques Ayú (Mr Bongo MRBCD142). Fresh from the 2016 Olympics, this fifteen- member São Paulo group combines indige- nous rhythms, vocal harmonies and body music – a fresh, imaginative mix of voices, throat-singing, dance, and hand- and foot- percussion. Next up at WOMEX? mrbongo.com


1 John Ward Sargasso (ION Music IONCD10). Eleven new self-penned originals from established Suffolk singer/songwriter, mostly on a seagoing theme with philosophi- cal or political overtones. Smoothly accom- plished band arrangements don’t always fire the songs sufficiently, however, and the vocals could sometimes do with more grit. johnward.org.uk


2 Various Artists Orkney Folk Festival – Fiddle Gathering (Orkney Folk Festival, OFFCD027). This absorbing folk-concert-cum- fiddle-rally was recorded live at Orkney Folk Festival, featuring 20 Orkney musicians: four- teen fiddlers plus piano, mandolin, banjo, bass, guitar, accordeon and singers. The show-stealer is Fara’s Orkney rendition of the 1969 pop-song Games People Play. www.orkneyfolkfestival.com


@ Chris Lea Shackleton’s Endurance (Talking Elephant TECD332). Story of the 1914-16 Antarctic Expedition led by Shackle- ton and crew, told by Kent-based guitarist- singer/ songwriter and a shipload of singers and musicians. Somewhat overblown, overly swamped with effects and pomp-rock-opera- style musical gestures; in all, a bit of an Endurance test. www.chris-lea.co.uk


2 Jinnwoo Strangers Bring Me No Light (GFM GFM003). Long in-the-making second album by singer-songwriter-guitarist-artist, recorded with a host of guest vocalists (including Alasdair Roberts, Georgia Ruth and Kami Thompson) and multiple producers (including Ben Walker and Gerry Diver) Startling, complex, confessional and haunted. facebook.com/Jinwoo/


1 Various Artists Sguaban A Tir An Eorna: Traditions Of Tiree – Scottish Tra- dition series, Vol. 27, School of Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh (Green- trax Recordings CDTRAX9027). Traditional Gaelic songs and stories from the 17th Centu- ry to the 20th, collected last century from Tiree tradition-bearers. Includes heroic tales, hymns, elegies, songs of emigration, songs of soldiering and pipe tunes. This album evokes the traditional ceilidh performance milieu. www.greentrax.com


2 Harper Tasche Further (Harp Crossing, 3604CD). Seattle-based harpist’s thirteenth album contains his own compositions for unac- companied Celtic harp, drawing on traditions and influences including Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Classical and contemporary. The styles sit together harmoniously due to Tasche’smelliflu- ous, elegant playing. www.HarpCrossing.com


2 The Harriet Earis Trio Alignments (Har- riet Earis Trio EARIS003CD). Second album from Welsh folk-jazz trio of harp, bass, per- cussion. Duke Ellington and Sidney Bechet rub shoulders with traditional Welsh tunes and Scottish/ Irish reels/jigs. The ambience of the album is late-night jazz-club interspersed with lyrical flashes of the Eisteddfod field. www.harrietearis.com


2 Robbie Greig & Friends Robbie Greig & Friends (Robbie Greig CD001RG). Atmo- spheric debut album from young Edinburgh fiddler-cum-Gaelic singer, produced and per- formed in collaboration with Edinburgh’s fabulous Irish-Hungarian band Dallahan. Highland Scottish and Irish traditional materi- al is performed with panache: soulful slow airs matched with sparkling jigs and reels. www.robbiegreigfiddle.com


2 Alastair Savage Alone With History (Woodland, SAV004). Fourth album from clas- sically-trained Ayrshire fiddler contains 18th/19th Century compositions by Gow and Scott Skinner, some Burns tunes and some original pieces. Performed unaccompanied and recorded in Crathie Kirk, this album cap- tures the intimacy and intensity of Alastair’s solo concerts. www.alastairsavage.co.uk


@ Cheyenne Brown & Tory Dugan Road Soda (Bird Creek, BCR003). Quartet of harp, fiddle/keyboard, bass and drums perform jazzy improvisations of traditional tunes from Scotland, Ireland, Finland, Flanders, Wales and Israel. The percussion and bass are dull, heavy and intrusive. www.cheyenneharp.com


1 Ceuzany Ilha D’Melodia (Lusafrica 025372). Lead singer for Cordas do Sol, which took Cape Verde by storm in 2010, goes solo, with guest shots by Elida Almeida (who con- tributes three songs) and Kiddy Bonz, taking morna into the 21st Century. lusafrica.com


1 Seas Of Mirth Hark The Headland Approacheth! (I’m Not From London INFL021). Proudly absurdist nautical prog-folk crew’s Greek and African influences play nice- ly with Jethro Tull and Steeleye Spanisms on a set of danceable and rabble-rousing origi- nals, with titles like: Apocalypso, Bamboozled By Booze and It’s Raining, Men! Clever fun. seasofmirth.com


1 Kit Hawes & Aaron Catlow The Fox (Big Badger BBRCD006). The guitarist and fid- dle player from Bristol Balkan folk-jazzers Sheelangig trade impressive instrumental chops on swinging versions of John Barley- corn, The Fox (the “many a mile to go that night” one) Dock Boggs’ Country Blues, and their own compositions. kithawesandaaroncatlow.com


2 Fellow Pynins Hunter & The Hunted (Fellow Pynins 700261441047). Ore- gon duo Dani Aubert (banjo, bouzouki) and Ian Van Ornum (guitar, mandolin, hurdy- gurdy) channel both old-time and Celtic influ- ences across ten original songs. Outstanding harmony singing on a recording full of love. Currently on tour in the UK. fellowpynins.com


2 Ben Bedford The Pilot And The Flying Machine (Waterbug WBG 124). A talented singer-songwriter, whose literate and con- templative songs combine classic American troubadour and chamber-folk influences via Diderik van Wassenaer’s violin, Ethan Jodziewicz’s bass Kari Bedford’s harmonies and his own excellent guitar playing. Touring the UK in Spring 2017 benbedford.com


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