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Review of Beacons of the Wilderness

Beacons of the Wilderness

Ben McElroy

Ben McElroy

Rating: ★★★★

McElroy’s latest release, Beacons of the Wilderness, opens with haunting birdsong accompanied by atmospheric strings and a spoken narration. The...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: December/2023

Review of Remains to Be Scene

Remains to Be Scene

The Seldom Scene

Smithsonian Folkways

Rating: ★★★

Not every bluegrass album starts with a cover of Ray Davies’ ‘Last of the Steam-Powered Trains’. But that’s part of...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: May/2025

Review of Inner Spaces

Inner Spaces

Amir ElSaffar & Lorenzo Bianchi Hoesch

Ornithology Productions

Rating: ★★★★

The latest release from Iraqi-American trumpeter, santur player and vocalist Amir ElSaffar and composer and sound artist Lorenzo Bianchi Hoesch,...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: May/2025

Review of SEAUXLEAUX

SEAUXLEAUX

Louis Michot

Nouveau Electric

Rating: ★★★★

What more can you say about an artist who has all-out mastered his instrument (the fiddle) and taken home two...

Reviewed by Andrew Daly in issue: July/2025

Review of One Mississippi

One Mississippi

Eric Bibb

Repute Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Polished but never bland, infusing even the darkest stories with determined hope and beats that get you more than ready...

Reviewed by Paul Slade in issue: April/2026

Review of Snow Beneath the Belly of a White Swan: The Lost Live Recordings

Snow Beneath the Belly of a White Swan: The Lost Live Recordings

Robbie Basho

Tompkins Square Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Basho was an unconventional and singular 12-string guitarist, an outsider whose music remains uniquely beguiling. Often dubbed the ‘Father of...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: February/March/2025

Review of Never Slow Down

Never Slow Down

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

In the fall of 2019, when The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys made their Grand Ole Opry debut, their third album, Toil,...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: May/2022

Review of Buan

Buan

Danú

Top of the World

Danú

Rating: ★★★★

A long five years after Seanchas, album number eight from Danú arrives in time to celebrate their 20th anniversary in...

Reviewed by Michael Quinn in issue: Aug/Sep/2015

Review of Arbrasson

Arbrasson

Beñat Achiary, Patricia Chatelain & José le Piez

Signature Records

Rating: ★★★★

This eerily magical collaboration between experimental vocalist Achiary, sound sculptor le Piez and nomadic artist Chatelain is best listened to...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: May/2017

Review of Simply Whistle

Simply Whistle

Pat Walsh

Bunowen Music

Rating: ★★★★

Manchester-based tin whistle player Pat Walsh is considered one of the best in the game and this new set of...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: March/2021

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