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2007 Beyond This Point

Label:Drip Dry Records

Website: http://www.markrobertsmusic.com

There are singer/songwriters and there are wordsmiths. It's a fine distinction between the two, particularly when the tracks are recorded with just voice and guitar. For me Mark Roberts falls into the latter category. It's the words and narrative that drive his songs forward. Yes he can play guitar, very well as the instrumental "He Fell Asleep" proves, but predominently the music provides accompaniment to the lyric, rather than as an equal part. It's an approach that works well, it gives a mellow and reflective edge to the work and helps give the album a distinct fell. Definitely worth a listen.

Website: http://www.myspace.com/onemoregrain

If you can imagine a spoken word album, delivered over a jazz infused post punk backing. Visualise songs delivered in a conversational style similar to the late great Ian Dury. A Band Of Holy Joy with a more London attitude. Grasp the interplay between the horn and strings, then One More Grain could well be the band for you. Even if you might want to shout "cheer up" at lead vocalist D P Quinn occasionally, you know where he's coming from. It's vibrant, with more than a hint of chaos. Eccentricity personified in that preculilarly English way

Album:Here On This Front Line

Website: http://www.joewilkes.co.uk

Contemporary folk isn't, as some would have you believe, just about diary singers with emotional baggage. The singer songwriting scene continues to produce new artists with a keen sense of observation and a desire to tackle issues through song. Joe Wilkes seems infused with a troubadour spirit. He blends his carefully chosen words into an Americana mix, that has more than a hint of Gaelic charm. He educates without preaching, Wilkes understands that to reach you, you have to want to listen. That involves reaching out to the audience to bring them in. He succeeds!

Daughters Of Elvin

Website: http://www.myspace.com/daughtersofelvin

Like many things in life music works in cycles. A sound drops out of fashion one year and emerges 20 years later as revival or inspiration. Daughters Of Elvin, take that principle and extend it a bit, well five to six hundred years to be precise. With the exception of "Galdrbok" the title track, this is an album of interpretation, predominently songs from the Medieval Romance. Featuring instruments of the period, the sounds are evocative and a delight. The sleeve notes help provide context for the songs, giving them a place as well as a sound. "Galdrbok" is much more than revival, it's passion

Website: http://www.myspace.com/landermason

Fiona Lander and Paul Mason are the components that make up the North Eastern duo, Landermason. A run through the track listing shows a band that is proud of it's regional heritage. Traditional songs vie for space alongside songs that have flavors and inspiration from that neck of the world. That said, the reach of "The Reason" goes beyond a regional tribute album. It's got a rich sound, at times taking on an almost jazz feel. Guest appearances by members of XYZ(also a track title) and Kathryn Davidson, provides additional meat for Landermason to get creative teeth into

Single:Go Faster Stripes

Label:Idioglossia/Albino Records

Website: http://www.myspace.com/katflint

"Go Faster Stripes" heralds the welcome return of singer/songwriter, Kat Flint. Kat has managed to cement a profile as one of the rising stars of folk without getting saddled with the 'next big thing' tag. From out of the left field and with an understated quirkiness, "Go Faster Stripes" enhances her reputation as a performer and interpreter of song. The songs are subtle, there is not an obvious hook. There's not an immediacy, they sort of play you, it needs a couple of listens before you're snared. Once caught, it's hard to let go as they dance vividly in your imagination.

Label:Escteric Records

Website: http://www.myspace.com/maxidunn

"Winter Ghost" is easiest described as five songs of hope and light and a Christmas poem. Christmas songs are notoriously difficult to place, particularly if you want the other songs on a release to havfe validity all year around. Placing it at the end of the release is spot of especially when the song/poemis so rooted in the spirit of Christmas past and Christmas yet to be. The five remaining tracks reflect the inner self, relationships for a thought provoking set. "Winter Ghost" shows that Maxi Dunn is a writer of no mean talent and a pretty good performer to boot.

Single:Hava Naglia (Baby Lets Dance)

Website: http://www.myspace.com/laurenroseofficial

There's something delightfully perverse in the idea of a Jewish folk song being the Christmas number one, especially if if keeps whoever wins X-Factor off of the top slot. Lauren Rose has adpated "Hava Naglia" into a very contemporary, driving piece that conveys every ounce of energy the song contains. Lauren has been touring extensively at the end of 2007, laying the groundwork for her album, due early in the new year. "Hava Naglia (Baby Lets Dance) serves as a pretty solid declaration of intent. It' impossible to get out of your head once it's inserted it's self.

Album:Roots The Best Of Show Of Hands

Label:Hands On Music

Website: http://www.showofhands.co.uk

Arguably the most important folk band of the last ten or so years, as well as the greatest Devonians in history, Show Of Hands have just released a 2cd best of package. CD1 Is the bands choice of tracks from their sixteen year foray, including some tracks re-recorded exclusively for this compilation. CD2 is the fans choice, one track from each album voted for by the band's online forum. All of the songs have been remastered for an exceptional compilation. Show Of Hands are masters of both the songwriting and interpretation process. A full review and a glance back can be found here.

Album:The Fire Inside

Website: http://www.myspace.com/tinderboxacoustic

Dorset duo and evolving band, Tinderbox, are currently in the studio recording material for a forthcoming album. In the meantime they've taken the opportunity to remind people unable to get along to their live shows, that the current album, "The Fire's Inside" is still available. The formula is simple, take Monique's honeyed voice, blend it with Dan's intricate guitar, add other musicians to taste. There is a sweetness in the songs, but it's held in balance, by the darker emotions within the lyric, giving the songs a well rounded feel. Lead track, "Walk Away" featured in US TV series "Trinity".

Album:Fingers & thumbs

Label:One Little Indian

Website: http://www.myspace.com/pollypaulusma

Criminally ignored on it's release in the Summer, it's a good time to look at Polly Paulusma's comeback album, "Fingers & Thumbs". Polly was on the verge of great things following her 2004 debut, "Scissors In My Pocket" and a well received showcase at Cambridge Folk Festival. A series of personal events drover her away from music and into herself, followed by the cathartic writing process. "Fingers & Thumbs" tracks life turning aaround and life starting anew. An album of dispair, renewal and hope. An album of Winter and Spring, I think a summer release was a mistake.