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1 Benjamin William Pike A Burdensome Year (Ginhouse Records). With a name that sounds just like an American pioneer, BWP hasn’t had a great time of it lately. He’s come through a tough year involving major surgery, which is really the back story to the album, but as he was writing his favourite guitar was stoved in by a collapsing mic stand. All of which makes for a distinctive set of songs that are at very least involving, and some rather inventive. benjaminwilliampike.co.uk


1 Saucéjas Trici, Munu Ustabeni! (Lauska CD053). Women of the Latvian Academy of Culture vocal ensemble sing, mostly unaccompanied, songs from the Ludza and Karsava districts, where this strong poly - phonic singing of a wide range of songs has virtually disappeared. Lots of interesting info in Latvian and English, and archive photos, in substantial hardback pack. lauska.lv


2 Sandén Nygårds Carr Natt Blir Dag (Dalakollektivet DKCD 006). Hugely innovative and influential guitarist, essential accompanist and modest wit Ian Carr – Britain’s loss (most of the time), Sweden’s gain. This new trio with singer/fiddler Sofia Sandén (Ranarim etc) and fiddler Anders Nygårds is masterly, in songs and tunes trad and band-made including their beautiful Vaggvisa. dalakollektivet.se


1 Patch & The Giant All That We Had We Stole (Absolute CDPATG01). Given that the title isn’t fact and they describe themselves as ‘alt folk’, they’re a funky, extremely acceptable, good-time ensemble who’ve wisely taken their time to produce a debut. With thumbs-up from the Beeb, Cambridge, Green Man and Larmer Tree festivals, the appealing blend of quirky, melodic and unadorned makes a case for further investigation. patchandthegiant.com


2 Silas Lowe Wandering Father, Forgotten Sons (Silas Lowe). Acoustic country music flavour from Austin. Lowe has a strong, rich voice, good songs and instrumental support. Much better than the average. silaslowe.com


Laura Cortese


@ Clark & Zuppardi You, I & The Sky (Clark & Zuppardi 5 060179 704036). English duo playing bluegrass-derived music on way too brightly recorded guitar, banjo and mandolin. Tunes and playing good enough, but singing would have been better left alone. clarkandzuppardi.co.uk


1 Dave Luke & Chuck Micallef Shadows And Light (Blue Crystal Music BCM 107). A tidy collection of nearly all original songs by English/Canadian duo. Well recorded and performed, kept simple with just guitar and mandolin and with a good feel for the music. facebook.com/davelukeandchuckmicallef


1 The Hey Down Treaders As I Walked Out (HDT Productions HDT001). Gleeful, good time mosh-up which laces up its boots, picks up maps and compass to visit all manner of corners and genres. With persons who’ve worked with the Waterboys, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, the Undertones amongst sundry others, you’re guaranteed a right old bean feast. Somewhat tasty then. theheydowntreaders.com


1 Alex Cumming & Nicola Beazley Across The Water (Haystack HAYCD010). Young accordeon and fiddle duo demon - strating a close rapport on the long-awaited full-length follow up to their 2014 EP. An energetic and upbeat set that intelligently intersperses songs and tunes and proves their keen and thoughtful response to tradition. alexandnicolamusic.com


2 Laura Cortese All In Always (Cortese Music LC 2015A). Ambitious project by Laura who leads an all-instrumental, all-original album with her superb fiddle playing. Recorded in Sweden, Spain and Quebec with local musicians. Good tunes, well recorded and pleasing textures of music. www.thisislaura cortese.com


Daria Kulesh


2 Daria Kulesh Long Lost Home (Daria Kulesh). Moscow-born Daria celebrates the identity, spirit, history and traditions of the southern Russian republic Ingushetia (her grandmother’s home) through a sequence of literate original songs powerfully sung. Bold, exotic, lavishly clothed (musicians include Swan & Dyer and Kate Rouse). Impressive. daria-kulesh.co.uk


2 Sally Barker Ghost Girl (Old Dog Records 017). Following her success on TV’s The Voice, former Poozie and current Fotheringay member Sally returns with a classy new solo album full of her matchless singing and exceptional writing couched in contemporary folk, pop, jazz and R&B stylings. sallybarker.co.uk


1 Neil Thomson & Gerry Cambridge Shore Crab (Neil Thomson & Gerry Cam - bridge 452003). An expanded reissue for the 2005 collection where Gerry’s gentle and some - times whimsical poetry was set to music by Paisley singer-songwriter Neil; tracks from the original release are supplemented by four new recordings including joint Nòs Ùr competition- winner Snawdraps. neilthomson.co.uk


1 Ribbon Road Our Streets Are Numbered! (Shipyard RRD 009). Geoff & Brenda Heslop’s latest project is a sequence of accessible and compassionate original songs depicting situations and occurrences in the ‘Numbered Streets’ of the Durham mining town of Horden during the years since the miners’ strike and pit closure. ribbonroadmusic.com


1 Steve Dagleish Yours For Eternity (Steve Dagleish DAG CD05). London-based songwriter delivers his second album of original compositions (ten songs, plus a pair of tunes) featuring his own appealingly animated guitar playing. The latter’s probably the album’s most notable aspect, despite the former’s honest, genial lyrics. stevedagleish.com


1 The Nu Haven Kapelye What’s Nu? (Reckless DC Music RMCD-1057). Nineteen years in the making, but the vast, all- inclusive New Haven community klezmer ensemble does achieve rapture, in both genre staples and more neglected works. Shunning authenticity for authenticity’s sake, their occasional tendency into big glitzy musical should not detract from the real hope and ambition here. nuhavenkapelye.com


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