Wheels of the World

This English folk trio may be young (they're only in their early 20s) but they're already celebrating a decade of playing together. Their third studio album, produced by Sean Lakeman, again reveals their deep appreciation for the folk traditions of the British Isles. Aside from a few tunes, the tracks on this album are arrangements from traditional sources – particularly the online Bodleian Broadside Ballads and the collection of Cecil Sharp. The exceptions are strong fiddle-led tunes penned by Lewis Wood. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (Anglo concertina and melodeon) and George Sansome (guitar) take turns at lead vocals. The result is a nice interplay between Sansome's rich, smooth voice and the spit'n'sawdust edge of Braithwaite-Kilcoyne's delivery.

The subject matter is squarely in the folk canon of social injustices – from European warmongers (‘Wheels of the World’) to the plight of working men heroes like Scottish outlaws (‘Gilderoy’) and highwaymen. The musicianship is sharp and energised, the passion to the fore, but all the time honouring the journey of the song. This is especially evident on Braithwaite-Kilcoyne's stirring rendition of ‘Ship in Distress’, collected from Somerset farmer James Bishop, who told Sharp he was sure the song would die with him. It hasn't.