Back catalogue: Folk/Americana

Review: Sky Girl is the work of two noted (but arguably under-appreciated) crate diggers, DJ Sundae and Julien Dechery, and gathers together a veritable treasure trove of obscure material loosely connected by (in the label's own words) "the same longing sentiment". Its' fifteen tracks touch on a variety of hazy, down-tempo styles, and were recorded at various points between 1961 and '91. There's much to admire throughout, from the folksy psychedelic pop of The Rising Storm's "Frozen Laughter", and spoken word eccentricity of Scott Seskind's "I Remember", to the dreamy, eyes-closed ambience of Nini Raviolette & Hugo Weris' "Slow" and string-laden samba-folk of Nora Guthrie's "Home Before Dark".

Review: This new grey vinyl double album is a celebration of the musical influence of the great singer-songwriter Nick Drake on the many musicians who came after him. Over 30 of them in all got involved with The Endless Coloured Ways, a collection of songs of his performed and recorded from a whole mix of different backgrounds, genres, age groups and audiences. Each of them brings their own perspective and a timeless take on the original material with the likes of Fontaines D.C to Guy Garvey as well as many more all making the cut.

Review: Like Someone I Know features reinterpretations of Margo Guryan's timeless songs by a diverse lineup of artists, including TOPS, Clairo, Empress Of, and Margo Price. Guryan, a talented singer-songwriter and pianist, released her only album, Take a Picture, in 1968, which, despite initial obscurity, has become a cornerstone of the sunshine-pop genre. Her compositions reflect a sophisticated understanding of love and uncertainty, showcasing a delicate yet powerful songwriting style. Guryan's artistry gained renewed recognition in recent years, particularly after her haunting track 'Why Do I Cry' went viral on TikTok shortly before her passing in 2021. This tribute album celebrates her influence, allowing modern musicians to explore her work while maintaining the essence of her original sound. Tracks like McDoom's atmospheric take on 'Thoughts' and Frankie Cosmos' playful rendition of 'Take a Picture' highlight Guryan's remarkable craftsmanship and emotional depth. By donating a portion of proceeds to affordable reproductive health services, this compilation not only honours Guryan's legacy but also reaffirms the lasting impact of her music, proving that her work continues to resonate across generations.

Review: Masterful curator Paul Hillery returns with another essential instalment in this wonderful BBE series. Volume 3 continues his tradition of unearthing rare, high-quality tracks so it is a perfect companion to his Children of the Sun trilogy. This one spans funky folk, jazzy AOR, lo-fi dub and DIY folktronica and includes numerous gems like Sheila Chandra's ethereal vocals and Tim Green's euphoric grooves, a playful vibe from Gil De Ray on 'Something About Nothing' and plenty more besides. With extensive sleeve notes, this is a deep sonic journey that also cements the man behind it as an expert archivist.

Review: From an ardent blogger to an in-demand compiler, Paul Hillery's obsessive approach to music discovery has taken him far. As well as working with the likes of BBE, he's been fostering a working relationship with Re:Warm which now yields a second volume of the fantastic Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours series. The title is instructive, and somewhere in the folds of private press joints and forgotten album cuts Hillery finds a thread which binds together seemingly disparate sounds. There's delicate singer-songwriter seances from the likes of Lucy Kitchen and psychedelic, roving magic from Stallions remixing Findlay Brown and much more besides.

Review: Once unsung but now enjoying a revitalised career as a compiler and curator, Paul Hillery began his musical journey as a tour DJ for The Polyphonic Spree. But even long before this, he'd a niche knack for tracking down obscure musical gems. The breadth of his curatorial talents are demonstrated once again on We Are The Children Of The Setting Sun, which has no explicit genre focus but sonically segues through folk, psychedelia, and new age obscurities - and only ones with the utmost pristine sound at that. From the beauteous harmonic dulcimers of Graeme Gash to the closing Chicago Soul paeans of Reggio McLaughlin, we're urged to "drop out to the musical pulse that unites us all."

Review: Haruomi Hosono of Yellow Magic Orchestra infamy gets a Stones Throw "reworks-reissue" of his landmark debut solo record Hosono House, this time under the name Hosono House Revisited. Not a reissue per se but rather an exemplary case of an "interpretations" LP - in which favourite adjacent artists and contemporaries choose their favourite track from a given artist's discography, and do their best to capture their own subjective recorded responses to the song as they know it best - this version sees several musicians from the Stones Throw roster and beyond offer up their own interpretations of Hosono's songs. Leading the charge is John Carroll Kirby's 'Fuku Wa Uchi Oni Wa Soto', a mixable, much funkier and bubblegum-gobbed version of the originally kalimba-led, totally live-recorded track.

Review: There's so much to admire about the borderless musical inclinations of the one and only Luke Una. A longstanding standard-bearer for nocturnal eclecticism, he's made an art out of pigeon-hole dodging, via event series like Electric Chair/Elephant and Homoelectric, his Worldwide FM residency, and E Soul Cultura compilations. His latest comp sees him explore sonic transcendence, selecting a body of musical curios based on their ability to transport the listener to higher realms. As expected, the album bursts with delightful, lesser-known morsels that make it more than worthy of attention. Opening with the psychedelic guitar swells of John Martyn's masterful 'Small Hours' before meandering into the blissful meditations of Stephen Whynott's 'A Better Way', drifting into the staccato whimsy of Sylvain Kassap's 'Plancoe' and arresting with the aching soul of Michael Gregory Jackson's 'Unspoken Magic', there are too many standouts to mention. This is an album to savour from start to finish, a means of cultivating inner peace and astral escapism. When it comes to digging chops, there aren't too many who measure up to Luke, and this selection serves as a case in point.

Review: In this collection, Luke curates music with the perfect blend, inviting listeners on an esoteric journey of enlightenment through sound. Exploring late-night, after-hours musings; Everything Above The Sky (Astral Travelling with Luke Una) is a new compilation by the enigmatic DJ, promoter, and cultural curator. Following the E Soul Cultura phenomenon, this compilation comes at a pivotal moment in Luke's career as he travels the globe. Avoiding any chance of his sound being pigeonholed, Luke has assembled a tracklist that feels transcendental, stepping off the grid and back to source. Luke's Everything Above The Sky manifesto describes the music as Astral Travelling in the meadowlands with acid folk, spiritual jazz, midnight hocus pocus, cosmic psychedelic soul, magical whirling love songs, Brazilian ballads of light into machine soul gospel dreaming, Balearic bossa and Outer Space ancient African drums. Expect something different and highly unique with this listen.

Review: Few labels in the 80s embodied such a distinct and artful vision as El, the short-lived yet profoundly influential London stable founded by Mike Alway in 1984. The Rubens Room compilation serves as both an introduction and a tribute to the label's uniquely curated aestheticieschewing rock conventions for a sophisticated blend of chamber pop, 60s bubblegum, European chanson, Latin rhythms and cinematic soundscapes. Alway's hands-on approach shaped El's musical direction, working with songwriters like Nicholas Currie (Momus) and Philippe Auclair (Louis Philippe), whose compositions helped show the label's meticulous pop craftsmanship. Simon Turner (The King of Luxembourg), Dean 'Speedball' Brodrick, and producer Richard Preston contributed to a sound that was deliberately theatrical and often satirical, evoking a world of elegance and artifice. This was pop that borrowed from the pastiechoing Ennio Morricone's film scores, Gainsbourg's wit, and the romanticism of forgotten music hallsiyet remained forward-thinking in its stylistic fusions. Among the label's defining artists were the Would-Be-Goods, Anthony Adverse, and Bad Dream Fancy Dress, whose narratives often explored themes through a distinctly un-macho, female gaze. Unlike much of the indie scene of the era, El's output was a celebration of refinement, wit and melodrama. The influence of this approach extended far beyond the UK, particularly in Japan, where it directly inspired the rise of Shibuya-kei artists like Pizzicato Five, Kahimi Karie, and Cornelius. While El never achieved mass commercial success, The Rubens Room reaffirms its legacy as one of Britain's most inventive labels, where pop was not just music but a world of sound, style and storytelling.

Review: Americana, also known as American roots music, is a mixture of genres that blend together into a distinctive roots-oriented sound, culminating in what might also be understood as 'all the microgenres that went into the melting-pot that was the USA before it had established any semblance of a national musical identity'. This compilation for MOV collects all of the musical ingredients that went into this melting pot: a foot of newt from John Mellencamp, an eye of bat from Towned Van Zandt, a tongue of dog from Gene Clark, and a final sprinkling of contemporary national identity from Band Of Horses. A nostalgic experience, full of reverence for days past (and present).

Review: Laced Records bring the musical experience of Braid, Anniversary Edition, to life with a beautifully remastered collection of 15 tracks on heavyweight vinyl. This edition features music from the original 2008 indie classic, enhanced for modern listeners. Eight of these tracks, composed by Jami Sieber, Shira Kammen, Pam Swan, and Cheryl Ann Fulton, transport players into the evocative world of Braid, blending perfectly with the game's intricate puzzle mechanics. Additionally, seven fresh electro-ambient remixes by Martin Stig Andersen infuse a darker, more atmospheric energy into the soundtrack. Andersen's reinterpretations align with the game's more intense later stages, offering a unique contrast to the original compositions. The music, designed to enhance the player's immersion, remains as vital and engaging as ever. With its striking packaging, including printed inner sleeves and a wide-spined outer sleeve, this edition is ideal for both fans of the game and vinyl collectors.

Review: Platform 23 reunites once more with Vox Man Records to dig deep into their archives and shine a new light on. In the past they have done some mega well loved Alternative Funk compilations which got the label off to a fine start and now they dig into an array of cult cassette releases to bring us treasure from Audiologie N-4 - The Independant Psychedelic Trip and Audiologie 5 et 6 - Ethniques Urbaines. This is music from the avant-garde and post punk scenes that draws on wave, spoken word, dark dub and industrial for its eerie yet alluring charms, all with a real edge. Ethnic, idiosyncratic and psyched out, this is another great overview.

Review: Once Again We Are The Children Of The Sun is a compilation of rare and obscure psychedelic rock, folk and jazz from all over the world. While little thematic centrality is present, the common thread between these selections is that they can surely be classified as wheat, not chaff, thanks to the curatorial power of one Paul Hillery. Artists both known and forgotten, such as Forest, Will & James Ragar, Greg Foat Group and Orion all hitch a ride on Helios' sonic chariot, delivering an intense psych-folk-funk album of much experimentation and weird synthwork.

Review: For those whole like their country rock rare and obscure, listen up. One Mile From Heaven, curated by Spanish diggers' delighters Mapache Records, puts together a fresh ream of (mostly originally privately-pressed) obscurios in the genre from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Star tracks by Garry Higgins, Chuck & Mary Perrin, Naomi Lewis, and Joe & Bing take on key roles in this star cast of formerly flea-market-or-basement-bound artists / songs.

Review: This compilation celebrates spiritual triumph over terrestrial adversity through rare country, gospel, and folk songs. Originally recorded on private labels from the 1960s to the early 1980s, it features voices of those often unheard in the professional entertainment industry, including individuals with disabilities, cancer survivors and those facing various physical challenges. These songs, created with the support of families and churches, convey stories of struggle, faith, doubt, and joy. Each track represents the resilience and strength of the human spirit, transforming adversity into gratitude and faith. The collection's raw, heartfelt performances highlight the unique beauty and vitality of these artists, offering listeners a profound sense of hope and inspiration. Reissued for the first time, these incredibly rare sides shine with nobility and spiritual fortitude, showing the power of the human spirit in its most vulnerable and triumphant moments.

Review: From the makers of Hillbillies In Hell comes Hey Mr Devil: Apocalyptic Gospel & Rapture Rockabilly From Private Press Prophets. 20 timeless slices of Luciferian gospel, end-times prophecy and doomsday sermons from the surreal sacred songbook. Armageddon rockabilly collides with kindergarten sulphur and brimstone diatribes. Backwoods demonic disco confronts beastly predictions and Southern-friend incubus funk. All excavated from deep within the forgotten margins of homespun and private press culture. Years in the making, Hey, Mr. Devil presents a raucous revival tent of fallen rockabilly icons, from Kylan Laxson, The Fundamentalist, Wally Fowler, The Byrd Family, The Musical Harts and Arlie Neaville. All of these incendiary sides are incredibly rare and are reissued here for the very first time.

Review: Our favourite compilers Numero Group have been at it again. This time they have put together Barnyard Beehive, which in their words "lassos 16 Opry hopefuls from across the Numeroverse." These are ones that dig deep into evergreen subjects and themes such as heartbreak, trouble and booze. They are raw, expressive folk and Americana sounds that will have you forgetting you are in the drab UK winter and not on some prairie somewhere, chewing on if not smoking some grass.

Review: The second volume of Wayfaring Strangers: Cosmic American Music delves deeper into the country rock genre that countered the rise of polished, suburban-friendly country rock like The Eagles. Featuring 20 tracks on two LPs, this collection captures the raw, independent spirit of Cosmic American Music, often overlooked in favor of more commercial successes. As country rock grew into a dominant force in the 1970s, many bands followed the Eagles' lead, softening the genre's edges. Yet, on the periphery, artists like F.J. McMahon, Mistress Mary, and Plain Jane quietly crafted their own versions of this roots-inspired music, blending gospel, country, and Southern soul. These lesser-known acts embraced Cosmic American Music's signature sounds, including pedal steel guitars and banjos, in their recordings. Big labels attempted to shape the genre's success, but Wayfaring Strangers focuses on the private press labels and forgotten gems that retained the original spirit Parsons envisioned. This compilation reconstructs the genre's history from its fringes, celebrating the raw, twangy essence of its early innovators.

Review: This soundtrack captures the electrifying energy and transformative power of Bob Dylan's early career, featuring a collection of iconic songs performed by the cast of 'A Complete Unknown'. Timothee Chalamet steps into Dylan's shoes, delivering captivating renditions of classics like 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' and 'Like A Rolling Stone'. The soundtrack also features performances from Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, each adding their own unique flavour to the mix. With its blend of classic folk songs, bluesy grit and rock 'n' roll energy, this soundtrack is a must-have for any Dylan fan or anyone who appreciates the power of music to capture a moment in history.

Review: American baroque pop, or chamber pop as it is also known, flourished from 1966 to the early seventies. It's a sound that blends string quartets, harpsichords and woodwinds to evoke a unique summer-into-autumn kind of melancholy. Far from the raw energy of early rock 'n' roll, this style often attracted musicians from folk backgrounds who were drawn to its acoustic richness. Linda Ronstadt's first band, the Stone Poneys, introduced the autoharp in 1965 while artists like Bonnie Dobson and Nico experimented with string arrangements as they sought new, post-electric directions. This era marked a shift toward intricate, orchestral textures that redefined the boundaries of pop and folk music and are explored in this superb and comprehensive collection.

Review: Numero Group double up as lassoing ranchers on this cattle-prodding long player of Nashville Americana. Raiding the airwaves of grand 'ole opry - the term "opry" began as a reference to a regular live country music radio broadcast originating on Tennessee's own WSM Radio station, then eventuating more broadly to mean any establishment serving folk and country music in Tennessee - the head honchi at Numero do a fine job of introducing us to the lesser-known, achy yet heart-mending (if you'll hear it out) tones of Connie Caddell, Joyce Street, Mona Lunsford and Country Girl Kay, all pan-American starlets from the 60s and 70s.

Review: Efficient Space continue their esteemed compilations of varying focus and theme. Their latest, Someone Like Me, is less interested in nostalgia for a certain time, propinquity, or contemporaneity (all pitfalls into which most other compilation curators fall prey) and instead finds enjoyment in the juxtaposing of all manner of musicians and songs reflecting a certain style, from the Pacific Northwestern USA to the UK, and whose main approach to music-making was hobbyism. "Folk" is the operative word here, though whether it's one we should utter confidently isn't so certain, as the twists and turns this compilation takes - through the lonesome falsettos of Lynne Ann Kingan, the detuned, drum-machinic drones of Charlie Webster, and the intermittent, reverberative outbursts of Jim Kennedy - capture something far more than just a transmissible, oral ceremonial form.

Review: Night Train: Transcontinental Landscapes 1968-2019 offers a lifetime of a music on this magical collection chosen from the familiar and surreal, guided by an eclectic selection of tracks curated by the compiler of Music For The Stars. From the laid-back grooves of JJ Cale's 'Cherry' to the haunting beauty of Linda Perhacs' 'Hey, Who Really Cares,' each song paints a vivid picture of the changing fields and coastline outside your window. This assortment showcases the power of compilations to expand one's musical taste, with artists like The B-52's, Chris & Cosey and Tangerine Dream offering their own unique contributions to the sonic tapestry. With tracks ranging from introspective to euphoric, The Night Train celebrates the beauty created by artists and musicians alike, inviting listeners on a transcendent journey through space, sound and emotion.

Review: Light in the Attic Record's Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996 is a landmark collection chronicling Ukraine's rich musical history, from the Soviet era to the years after the USSR's collapse. The compilation spans rare folk, rock, jazz, and electronic tracks, with music often dissenting subtly from Soviet norms. Curated by producers Matt Sullivan, David Mas, and others, it reflects five years of dedication, culminating in a significant shiftipolitics surrounding the Russian invasion led the team to focus solely on Ukrainian music. Guiding the album is Kyiv-based filmmaker and DJ Vitalii "Bard" Bardetskyi, whose liner notes provide deep insights into each track. Songs include Kobza's 1971 instrumental waltz Bunny, blending traditional Ukrainian folk with rock and jazz, and Vodohrai's Caribbean-influenced Remembrance from the late 70s. The compilation also captures Ukraine's underground scene in the 80s and 90s, when artists experimented with electronic music and post-punk. Other Highlights include Vadym Khrapachov's synth-heavy score ;Dance', Cukor Bila Smert's 1995 experimental track 'Cool, Shining', and the jungle/drum-n-bass rhythms of Marble Sleeves' 'Lion' from 1996. This collection honors Ukraine's vibrant sonic heritage, documenting the resilience and creativity of its artists during times of immense upheaval. Have a look at the attention to detail on the packaging. A true history lesson.

Review: Resurfacing from obscurity after 58 years in the Louis Wayne Moody Pictures vault, this unearthed soundtrack unveils a treasure trove of melancholic melodies, mournful guitars, and eerie echoes. It is another of the seemingly endless gems to come from the great folks at Number Uno and is laden with themes of abandonment, shattered dreams, and existential ponderings. The album, titled They Move in the Night, weaves a narrative of moral ambiguity and tearful farewells, set against the backdrop of lukewarm diner coffee and the relentless pursuit of society's shadows. Fascinating stuff.

Review: Soul Jazz Records' Delta Swamp Rock Volume 2 delves into the musical fusion of country, rock, and soul in the American South of the 1960s and early 1970s. Southern rock's rise in the 1970s, led by The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, created a unique sound blending country, rock, and black music, reshaping white southern working-class youth identity. The roots of this movement trace back to the legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where white studio musicians and r&b legends like Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett collaborated. The release captures that time and includes an extensive book, photographs, interviews and all on lovely double vinyl.

Review: Iron Mountain continue to pick unexpected narrative threads from the vast canyons of country music history with this natural companion to their acclaimed Hillbillies In Hell series. The over-arching theme is one of Nashville television from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, when country music was dominating on every channel and you could veer from Porter Wagoner's surreal hick styles to Dolly Parton depicting the grim experience of an asylum, all cast in that distinctive country twang. This collection draws on some treasured legends and cult figures alike, all singing strange and sinister tales from the curious corners of Nashville's's proudest export.

Review: Those Hillbillies just don't get any respite, if Iron Mountain have anything to do with it. Their knockout series depicting the dark side of country music continues apace with an apocalyptic 'End of Days' theme on this latest instalment. As ever, the label scouts have done their due diligence to find some rare-as-hen's-teeth cuts from discarded 45s, with such hidden legends as Shirl Milete making repeat appearances to sing of hell walking the street and the destructive power of apathy. It's not light and breezy listening, but hasn't the best country always been heavy?

Review: Searchlight Moonbeam is the new narrative compilation from Time Is Away (Jack Rollo and Elaine Tierney), whose eponymous monthly NTS Radio shows - tinctured fusions of fugitive sounds and reverie-inducing archival speech - have won them an ardent following. It follows from the London-based duo's Ballads, a remarkable driftwerk released on A Colourful Storm in 2022. Searchlight Moonbeam is an autumnal dreamscape, intimate and vespertine, pensive and irresolute. An imagined community where differences drop off and resonances emerge.

Review: The 500 Days of Summer soundtrack is a timeless blend of indie and alternative anthems that perfectly capture the film’s blend of romantic highs and disillusioned lows. Curated to reflect the journey of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel), the music serves as a character in itself, embodying the emotional stages of love and heartache. From the start, Regina Spektor’s 'Us' sets a hopeful yet ironic tone, foreshadowing a love story that isn't quite what it seems. The Smiths’ 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' becomes the shared heartbeat of Tom and Summer, sparking their connection over a mutual love for melancholic pop. Daryl Hall & John Oates’ 'You Make My Dreams' injects infectious joy into Tom’s post-date bliss, creating one of the film’s most iconic scenes, full of choreographed optimism. The soundtrack doesn’t shy away from melancholy, as Simon & Garfunkel’s 'Bookends' hauntingly underscores the pivotal shift in their relationship, reflecting Tom’s heartbreak. Each song, from Feist's whimsical 'Mushaboom' to Doves' reflective 'There Goes The Fear'. deepens the narrative. In blending '80s pop hits with indie gems, the soundtrack remains a perfect encapsulation of love’s bittersweet nature, marking the film’s lasting impact on fans and romantics alike.

Review: Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996 stands as a monumental collection, capturing the evolution of Ukraine's music from the Soviet era to the dawn of independence. This compilation, meticulously assembled by Matt Sullivan and producers David Mas, Mark McNeill, and Shukai Records, offers an unprecedented glimpse into Ukraine's rich musical heritage. The collection spans from Soviet-era folk and rock to underground electronic experiments, reflecting both political dissent and creative evolution. Through rare tracks from folk-rock group Kobza's 'Bunny' to the Caribbean-tinged 'Remembrance' by Vodohrai, the compilation showcases a diverse array of genres and influences. The 80s and 90s contributions highlight Ukraine's vibrant underground scene, featuring experimental sounds like Vadym Khrapachov's synth-driven 'Dance' and Radiodelo's industrial '90'. This vinyl edition features Maria Prymachenko's folk art that really compliments the package well. Vitalii Bardetskyi's insightful liner notes offer context and depth, framing the music within the broader scope of Ukrainian history and resilience. This compilation not only preserves a pivotal era of Ukrainian music but also contributes to the ongoing recovery of the region.

Review: Conor O'Brien's sixth album under the Villagers moniker, That Golden Time, takes a departure from the band-oriented sound of its predecessor, Fever Dreams. Instead, O'Brien delivers a collection of vulnerable and intimate solo-based songs, recorded mostly in his own apartment. The album's title reflects its warm and nostalgic atmosphere, while also touching on the tension between romanticism and realism in life. Continuing his tradition of crafting melodies that captivate and arrangements that subtly enhance the emotional depth of his lyrics, O'Brien invites listeners into his world of hopes, fears, and dreams expressed through richly absorbing poetry. Despite the intimate nature of the album, O'Brien collaborates with guest musicians, including Planxty's Donal Lunny, to add depth and texture to the sonic landscape. O'Brien's artistry and ability to create music that resonates deeply with listeners is also a journey into the heart and mind of one of Ireland's most talented singer-songwriters.

Review: In collaboration with Rob Zombie and Lionsgate, Waxwork Records proudly presents "The Words & Music of HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES, a unique double album that offers an immersive experience by featuring the complete audio from the iconic 2003 film, HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES. It comes on deluxe double LP vinyl and allows you to enjoy the entire movie in this innovative read-along format, perfect for horror and vinyl fanatics who want a different kind of thrill. The set includes new artwork by Pete Bregman, deluxe gatefold packaging, an 11"x11" 28-page booklet, printed inner sleeves, and a heavyweight character cut-out sheet to create your own scenes from the film.