Spiro – Burning Bridge
True English originals, with a style best described as experimental folk-influenced acoustic music, this Bristol four-piece create elaborate instrumental pieces that mix traditional-influenced melodies with the repeated riffs of systems music. Their new album Welcome Joy and Welcome Sorrow was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World studios, where they were filmed playing this track, which is typical of their intricate but rousing style.
John Renbourn with Wizz Jones – Buckets of Rain
For the folk scene, the saddest event of the past month was the death of that remarkable guitarist John Renbourn. He was a man with a delightful sense of humour, an easy, relaxed vocal style, and the instrumental skills to cover anything from traditional and medieval styles to blues and Dylan. He was on tour with another great guitarist, Wizz Jones, at the time of his death. Here they are at a workshop event in Derbyshire in March.
Saoud Massi – Faya Lâyla
A welcome return from one of the finest female singers in north Africa. Massi was born in Algeria, but moved to France, fleeing death threats. Her new album El Mutakallimun (Masters of the World) is one of her bravest to date, a reworking of classic and contemporary Arabic poetry that includes this story of lost love.
St Paul and the Broken Bones – Call Me
Contemporary soul and gospel from Alabama, from the band led by one of the most compelling singers in the US. Paul “St Paul” Janeway originally planned to become a preacher, and was brought up listening to gospel music. It shows.
Noura Mint Seymali – Hebab (Zrag)
Gutsy desert blues from the west African state of Mauritania, performed by a young griot from one of the country’s most celebrated musical families. Noura Mint Seymali plays the traditional ardine harp and is accompanied by her husband on electric guitar. They will be well worth checking out at Womad in July.
Monsieur Doumani – Gongs
Monsieur Doumani have shaken up the Greek Cypriot music scene, and won themselves an international following, with their slick and engaging blend of classy musicianship, good humour, and thoughtful, often highly political, lyrics. The songs are played on guitar, the bouzouki-like tzouras, and trombone, and many refer to their country’s economic crisis. The opening track on their new album Sikoses, Gongs starts with the line: “In this wreck of a car with borrowed petrol.”
Omara Portuondo – Flor De Amor
Omara Portuondo is a charismatic and charming performer, still in remarkably fine voice at the age of 84. Cuba’s great diva is very much the star of the Buena Vista Social Club’s current Adios tour, but of course has a lengthy history of recording fine solo albums. This is the title track for her second album for the World Circuit label, released in 2004.
Cheikh Lo – Degg Gui
His new album Balbalou is not out until June, but here’s a taster of the new music from Cheikh Lo, one of Senegal’s finest musicians and singer-songwriters. A member of the Islamic Baye Fall brotherhood, he says the new album “returns to the importance of spirituality”. On this song he’s joined by accordionist Fixi and Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho.
Plaza Francia – La Mano Encima
Experimental tango from a new project in which two members of electronic tango band Gotan Project team up with Catherine Ringer, best known for the years she spent with the French band Les Rita Mitsouko. It’s an intriguing combination, as shown by this opening track from their debut album A New Tango Song Book.
Kate & Anna McGarrigle – Talk to Me of Mendocino
One of my all-time favourite emotional ballads by two of the greatest ever female harmony singers. Kate McGarrigle, who died in 2010, was the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright, and responsible for a series of exquisite and timeless recordings with her sister Anna. This is from a Transatlantic Sessions set in which they were joined by Karen Matheson.
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