Back catalogue: Folk/Americana

Review: Few stadiums involve the same level of America-ness as Fenway Park. Home to the Boston Red Sox, whether or not you believe baseball to be pointless and mundane, the fast food equivalent of cricket which is, somehow, also a slow cooked nothing, it's impossible not to appreciate just how much atmosphere there is in heritage sports arenas, and how much these places mean to the town that built them. For anyone to perform a concert at Fenway, then, is a privilege that betrays status. So does the deafening noise of tens of thousands singing along to the anthems on this Noah Kahan tour recording. Born in Vermont, but with strong family ties to the Boston area, the roaring and soaring folk-pop hitmaker - whose roots are as much in rock & roll as country and bluegrass - is quite simply commanding, even heard via the replay medium of vinyl or CD. Something to remember next time you consider tickets to see him in the flesh.

Review: Percussionist and singer-songwriter Mami Kakudo returns with her latest album, Contact. A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts' Department of Instrumental Music, Kakudo has gained recognition in Japan and internationally for her expressive use of marimba, percussion, voice and music boxes. Four years after her debut album, Oar (featuring covers of Maki Asakawa's 'My Friday' and Fishmans' 'Ikkareta Baby'), Contact showcases her signature sound again here in all its glory. Recorded with a talented ensemble-including Mugi Furukawa on guitar, Akita Goldman on bass, Wataru Mitsunaga on drums, and Yumiko Iwao on cello-Contact highlights Kakudo's ethereal voice, poetic lyrics and whimsical arrangements.

Review: The legendary Giorgos Katsaros, a revered figure in Greek rembetiko, is celebrated in this remarkable collection of ten ultra-rare tracks. Known for his steel-string guitar and powerful voice, Katsaros shaped Greek underground music, transporting it across the Atlantic to the Greek Diaspora in the US. His songs reflect the soul of a bygone era, blending rhythms from Asia Minor, Greek islands, and the streets of Piraeus and Athens. Born in 1901 on Amorgos, Katsaros was deeply influenced by his grandfather and the street music he absorbed as a young boy. His sound captures the spirit of the manges, the rebellious figures of early 20th-century Greece who found solace in wine, hashish, and music. This collection, remastered from 64 surviving recordings, revives the rich, melancholic beauty of his guitar and voice, carrying listeners into the smoke-filled taverns where his music thrived. These newly remastered recordings, pressed on red vinyl, breathe fresh life into Katsaros' timeless work, ensuring his legacy endures. With lyrics translated by Tony Klein and newly unearthed research by Greek historians Stavros Kourousis and Konstantinos Kopanitsanos, this release provides a comprehensive look at the myth and music of a Greek icon. The LP comes complete with extensive liner notes, adding depth to this already essential release.

Review: Mississippi Records' obsession with underground Greek music continues with ten ultra-rare recordings of heartbreak and vice from rembetiko legend Giorgos Katsaros. Katsaros, who by some accounts lived to be over 100 years old, carried the old songs of Greece to the Diaspora in the United States, bridging centuries of music in one storied lifetime. Born in 1901 on the Greek island of Amorgos, Katsaros was enchanted with the songs he picked up as a kid in the streets of Piraeus and Athens. Encouraged by his grandfather, an amateur singer, Katsaros developed a style that mirrored his upbringing - centuries-old Asia Minor songs, island rhythms of his homeland, well-known Athenian songs of the time, and anonymous rebetiko songs. This new decalogue brings a well-selected chronology - sieved from a wider, but still minimal, corpus of just 64 recordings made over the course of Katsaros' life - and melts it all down in a single crucible. The sense of hypnotic intrigue is central to Katsaros' music, and is made obvious as soon as one drops the needle on the record: what starts out from simple instrumentation - mere elegiac voice, and steel-string guitar - ends on a reverent, lulling high (the mechanism behind which effect, we have no idea).

Review: David Kilgour's A Feather in the Engine, his fourth solo album, blends smartly crafted psychedelic pop with stunning, off-the-cuff guitar instrumentals. The album opens with 'Sept. '98,' a meditative piece featuring shimmering guitar lines and subtle organ phrases, setting a tranquil tone. Tracks like 'Slippery Slide' and 'All the Rest' showcase Kilgour's knack for quirky, pastoral psych-pop, though his subdued tenor fits perfectly with this relaxed style. Highlights include the upbeat 'Today Is Gonna Be Mine' and the drone-infused 'I Caught You,' which features a captivating bass groove. 'Instra 2 Reprise' stands out with its masterfully arranged string quartet by Graeme Downes, complementing Kilgour's vocals and guitar work. The album closes with 'Backwards Forwards,' a textured, reverb-laden exploration centered around a few central chords. At 38 minutes, A Feather in the Engine may feel brief, but its beauty and charm make it a perfect choice for unwinding after a long day. Kilgour's ability to create a serene, engaging atmosphere is undeniable, making this album a welcome addition to any collection.

Review: Big Swimmer marks a significant evolution for King Hannah, reflecting a newfound confidence and clarity in their sound. Merrick's vocals soar with a newfound assurance, complemented by Whittle's blazing guitar work. The album strikes a balance between prickly and heartening imagery, leaving listeners spellbound and emotionally stirred. With each track, King Hannah showcases a deep understanding of their strengths and vision for the future, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in their sonic landscape. From traversing the waters of the Atlantic to commanding rock venues, the band's journey is palpable in every note. Big Swimmer is a compelling testament to King Hannah's growth and artistic prowess, leaving listeners with hairs standing on end and a yearning for the summer lake depicted in its enchanting storytelling.

Review: Riot On An Empty Street, originally released in 2004, captures Kings of Convenience at their most captivating, effortlessly merging folk, indie and pop into a serene, harmony-rich soundscape. With standout tracks like 'Homesick', 'Misread', and the Feist collaboration 'Know-How', this album became a treasured gem for fans. Now reissued on vinyl, the delicate acoustics and introspective lyrics are revived in full warmth, offering listeners a chance to reconnect with the album's timeless appeal. Perfect for lovers of understated, melodic songwriting that resonates long after the last note fades.

Review: Erland Oye and Eirik Grambek Boe have a lengthy history together. Long before they formed Kings of Convenience the pair were in the same class at school, writing comedic raps about their teacher then founding Skog ("forest"), their first joint stab at 'serious' music. Today, the duo have a string of gold and silver certified albums behind them. This is one. Originally released in 2009, 15 years on Declaration of Dependence still sounds as calmly breathtaking as it did back then. Quiet, soft, gentile, yet anything but twee, the sound straddles the line between indie pop and indie folk, and also represented the start of a new era in music distribution - getting its initial release as an exclusive for subscribers of a certain streaming platform, but that's another story.

Review: Given that he's been delivering DIY releases as Kitchen Cynics since the late 1980s, it can be to know where to start with Alan Davidson's vast back catalogue. Happily, the Trilogy Tapes has come up with a solution: Beads Upon an Abacus, a career retrospective compiled by Jack Murphy that offers an excellent introduction to the Aberdeen-based artist's distinctive work. It's well worth checking, too, because Davidson's trademark style -a lo-fi and hissing blend of rudimentary electronics, hazy folk revivalism, layered guitar-scapes and oddly traditional instrument choices - is never less than invigorating, alluring and hugely entertaining. If you've yet to bathe in his unique musical explorations, don't sleep on this fine compilation.

Review: Small Changes is the eagerly-anticipated follow-up to Michael Kiwanuka eponymous third LP, Kiwanuka. Produced alongside soul, hip-hop and pop production legends Danger Mouse and Inflo, Small Changes was recorded between London and LA, with this core triumvirate nonetheless expanding further into an assembly of session musical delegates, including legendary bassist Pino Palladino, as well as Jimmy Jam of the iconic Jam And Lewis songwriting and production duo. A welcome return for one of Britain's most talented songwriters, vocalists, and guitarists.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Michael Kiwanuka's eagerly awaited fourth studio album, Small Changes, is set to continue the journey started with his critically acclaimed Kiwanuka. Once again, he collaborates with Danger Mouse and Inflo, the dynamic team behind his previous successes, Kiwanuka and Love & Hate. The album was recorded across London and Los Angeles, featuring contributions from music legends such as Pino Palladino and Jimmy Jam, enhancing its depth and texture. Kiwanuka's songwriting remains as profound as ever, blending lush grooves with introspective lyrics. He maintains his signature styleisimple yet evocative melodies that invite deep emotional engagement. The album has a soulful and timeless quality that marked his earlier work while exploring new artistic avenues. As Kiwanuka reflects on his music, he sees it as a form of communication and healing, continuing his tradition of melding personal insight with universal themes. Small Changes is poised to reinforce Kiwanuka's place as a uniquely talented and deeply relatable artist.

Review: Michael Kiwanuka's eagerly awaited fourth studio album, Small Changes, is set to continue the journey started with his critically acclaimed Kiwanuka. Once again, he collaborates with Danger Mouse and Inflo, the dynamic team behind his previous successes, Kiwanuka and Love & Hate. The album was recorded across London and Los Angeles, featuring contributions from music legends such as Pino Palladino and Jimmy Jam, enhancing its depth and texture. Kiwanuka's songwriting remains as profound as ever, blending lush grooves with introspective lyrics. He maintains his signature styleisimple yet evocative melodies that invite deep emotional engagement. The album has a soulful and timeless quality that marked his earlier work while exploring new artistic avenues. As Kiwanuka reflects on his music, he sees it as a form of communication and healing, continuing his tradition of melding personal insight with universal themes. Small Changes is poised to reinforce Kiwanuka's place as a uniquely talented and deeply relatable artist.

Review: Isik Kural's Moon in Gemini is a captivating album that blends slow, evocative narratives with symbolic storytelling. While also combining environmental music with folk influences, Isik's vocals float over pastoral sounds, chamber instrumentation and archival recordings which trace a line back through his own diverse musical journey. The album's 14 tracks immerse you in a dreamy, liminal space - 'Moon in Gemini' for example reflects a multi-faceted and nostalgic exploration of Isik's past work by including recordings from Turkey, Miami, Helsinki, and Glasgow. Inspired by artists like Nina Simone and Aldous Harding, Isik experiments with new techniques of theirs to make this album a poetic, naturalistic experience with a portion of proceeds sent to benefit Mor cat? Women's Shelter Foundation.