Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Folk Friday Radio and as a rule singles and Eps have generally gone in that direction whilst Fatea generally concentrates on albums and live reviews for our full length feature, but with more artists going back down the single route to keep themselves in the public eye, we thought it was time to reflect that in our offerings and as rules are made to be broken or at the very least adapted, welcome to the Singles Round Up.
Our Man In The Field - Wall Of Sound
omitf.com
Having followed Alex Ellis since is first album in 2020, new music has been long overdue. The opening Hammond and brass powered punch signifies something deeper and more soulful than his earlier work. Produced like the rest of the forthcoming album, Silverado, by Guy Fletcher Wall of Sound maintains the thoughtful storytelling writing and slightly fragile voice which have been OMITF's defining features and builds the into a new bigger sound. The album and the rest of his WZR2 Radio Free Silverado project due soon, can't wait. TM
Flaene-We're Up For The High Jump
flaene.live
Flaene is a finger-style acoustic guitarist, singer-songwriter & sound artist currently bunkered with his instruments in a former underground car-park on the southern shore of the River Thames. His dark voice, backed by bass, flute and guitar make for a cinematic feel to the song. It comes as no surprise that he has written for films. At over 5 minutes the song is given room for the story, which appears to relate to the 1985 Battle of the Beanfield, to play out. TM
Chris Murphy - Songs from the Trees
chrismurphymusic.com
Songs from the Trees" is the title track of 2026 folk album by acclaimed violinist and singer-songwriter Chris Murphy, produced by Seth Lakeman. Very much in the contemporary folk mould, with electronics and loops adding to his fiddle and almost spoken word vocal. Deep and atmospheric, the song takes pagan myth making and the ancient wild as its theme. To me, music is liquid," Murphy explains thoughtfully. "I'll twist and turn, and hammer and mould, and shape, cut, and paste the music to create a fresh experience for my audience at all costs." And that aim is achieved beautifully. TM
Henry Threadgill - I Wanted A Map
vijay-iyer.com
I Wanted a Map is the lead single and title track of a new album by the trio of saxophonist Henry Threadgill, pianist Vijay Iyer, and drummer. While the writing credit lists Iyer as the composer this is clearly a mostly improvised piece, with drums and piano weaving together, and Threadgill sailing across the top. Top level contemporary Jazz, but probably not juke box material. As a signpost to the album, Fifteen, it's not going to win new fans to the genre but will be top of the list to listen to for Jazz lovers. TM
Sorrel Nation - Ran Jonny Ran
www.sorrelnationmusic.com
Described by its writer as "a deeply personal song musing on the story of a loved one desperately searching for something and looking in all the wrong places. The song reflects on personal grief experienced as a result of this longing and misplaced loyalty." Sorrel Nation's country folk sound is one of the most effective and affecting I've heard in a long time. Her debut album was widely and rightly praised and the new one, Creeping Thyme, looks to build on that with her bluesy voice in even finer form on this single. TM
The Barker Band - The Love That Was Gone
www.instagram.com/thebarkerband
A slow dragging ballad, with Americana and folk blending with Nella Johnson's vocal. The spikey electric guitar solo adds to the blues feel, and the picked banjo (or maybe mandolin) which sits in the background of the song. The theme of acceptance of the end of a relationship and finding new joy in the simple things of nature sits well with the music. TM
Ciska Ciska - Utopia
www.facebook.com/CiskaCiskaMusic
Her press compares Ciska Ciska to PJ Harvey, but her lighter poppy voice and the indie folk feel of the song suggest that she comes from a different space. The song builds form bare bones to a full soundscape that is actually closer to the Cocteau Twins at their most strident. As with all good songs it leaves you wanting more as it fades away after the big synth filled close. TM
Josienne Clarke - Fotheringhay
josienneclarke.com
A cover of Sandy Denny's Classic tale of the captivity and eventual execution of Mary Queen Of Scots at Fotheringhay castle. Clarke says "I've been singing this for years; it's one of my very favourite Sandy Denny songs. At just 3.30 long it contains within it an entire world, a historical novel, play or painting, such is the vivid nature of its imagery. Sandy Denny wrote it as a young woman on the cusp of the rest of her life, and it carries a heavy, prophetic weight." Josienne Clarke is the true inheritor of Denny's style and builds on her legacy in her live show the Songs of Sandy Denny. One of the great voices of modern folk. TM
Hegarty-Step Into The Light
www.facebook.com/Hegarty
"Scouse Country Rock" band Hegarty return with an Americana tune that covers all the virtues of good songwriting, and a great delivery. A positive uplifting anthem that is heartfelt without being mawkish. The chorus has that singalong catchiness which so much country-based music misses. TM
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Corsair is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.
Folk Friday Radio
Check out our shows and many other great shows on: