Releases

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Irene Rae
EP: Caught In The Headlights

Label: self released

Website: http://www.myspace.com/irenerenrae

Not being signed to a major, or even a record label, is no longer an indicator as to the quality of an artist as this 5 track ep from Linconshire based artist Irene Rae proves. All you need is some talent, some great songs, access to recording equipment and you can get some really distinct sounds. Hand to mouth recordings expose you to the true artist. There isn't a budget for fancy tricks. Irene Rae is definitely not found wanting, sparse and haunting these are tracks you'll want to come back to.

 

Album:Through Any Window £8.50

Label: Coalshed Music

Website: http://www.kevinbuxton.co.uk

Kevin Buxton & Kontra Band will be releasing a new album in the not too distant. They've already spent time in the studio. As preperation for the new release the band are giving the 2005 album, "Through Any Window" one last push. As an album it's definitely worthy of the effort. The album has a quirky sound, taking in a number of English regions. There's some good harmony vocals to support the main voice. It's music that feels like country roads, briefly pausing to let the sheep cross in front of you. Stopping at the village pub to exchange stories and walking home.

 

Album: Growing Flowers By Candlelight

Label: Self Released

Website: http://www.myspace.com/ainsliehenderson

Growing Flowers By Candlelight is an album that's let down by it's cover. Sold exclusively through the artists website, not having your name or the album title on the cover might work. Out in the big wide world most people won't bother giving it a second glance, let alone give it the chance to find out what it's about. It's a shame, because it's an album that's worthy of discovery. The album is well written and well performed. Henderson can capture a moment in the sound of his voice and how he delivers the line. You need to be able to find him to do this.

 

Album: The Dixie Bee-Liners

Label: Self Released

Website: http://www.dixiebeeliners.com

If you like your grass blue and your creeks nickle, then the Dixie Bee-Liners are going to be right up your street. The band are American, but the leadsinger used to go out with a guy from Dorset andf they've just added an Englishman to their line up so by our reckoning they're in. Featuring 8 tracks of top draw Americana, "The Dixie Bee-Liners" is a couple of tracks short of what you'ld consider to be an album's worth. It's something you're prepared to forgive when the quality is this good and moves from darkness into light and back again.

 

Megson
EP: Follow It On

Label: EDJ Records

Website: http://www.myspace.com/megson

Megson were the first band ever to get a 5* album on this website. We've made it a little tougher since then, but "Follow It On" shows that the Smoggie(Middlesborough)duo really have what it takes to deliver consistent music to a high standard. Stu and Debbie are working on their follow up album and this single does it's job in making sure they're not going to be forgotten whilst they're in the studio. "Follow It On" is as a tight a well honed selection of folk songs as you're likely to find anywhere.

 

John Smith
Album: The Fox And The Monk

Label: Self Released

Website: http://www.myspace.com/johnacousticsmith

The stripped back tones of folk blues when done properly are one of the most evocative styles. It's normally because it tends to be used to accompany musical stories, as opposed to songs. The songs tend to be littered with characters and events, seasons and travels. "The Fox And Monk" features a five piece band, including John and still manages to sound sparse. It pulls you in and makes you listen to what's happening as you realise that this isn't as laid back as it seems, people are just working very hard to give that impression.

 

EP: The Secret Boy's Club EP

Website: http://www.myspace.com/katflint

When there are so many people producing really good music what can you do to make yours distinctive? Well it helps to have a voice like Kat Flint. What you need to do then is add the mearest hint of skiffle to set it apart from the other English folk inspired singer/songwriters and sprinkle it with a touch of panache. Kat Flint was recently on tour with Cara Dillon, you can hear why she got the gig. This positively skips and gambols along with the energy of a spring lamb. Six tracks, to us, is a mini album and this one has more hooks than uncle Alfie's tackle box.

 

Anne McCue
Album: Koala Motel

Label:Cooking Vinyl

Website: http://www.cookingvinyl.com

Our favourite Antipodean blues woman delivers the follow up to "Roll" on our favourite record label, Cooking Vinyl. It's a combination that delivers an album that simply sizzles. Even when playing her more laid back songs, Ms McCue, knows how to make a lyric simmer. Throw in some really classic blues licks and a small marsupial and you've got an album that both moves and entertains. "Koala Motel" mixes pace and mood to deliver an album that can move your heart as much as your feet.

 

Pippa Rogers
Album: Let Me In

Label: Self Released

Website: http://www.myspace.com/pipparogers

Wales has a tradition of producing instantly recognisable vocalists, Cerys Matthews, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Charlotte Church. For most of the public, it's too soon to add Pippa Rogers to that list, but she's heading in the right direction. Pippa has a voice that has an element of uniqueness to it. Something that gives her songs and blend of folk orientated rock a distinctiveness. It sets it apart and raises it a level. Eight songs won't get you far along the rood to stardom, but these get you off the grid quickly.

 

Una Heally
EP: Sorry...

Label: Self Released

Website: http://www.myspace.com/unahealy

Sensuous and soulful, 'Sorry' is an EP that no one needs to apologise for. Una's slight Irish lilt adds sparkle to an ep of well thought out acoustic pop/rock. That said, I was concerned at the second track, "I Love You" which I feel lets down the much stronger songs it sits alongside. Compared to it's companions, it's bland, but fortunately it's an exception that proves the rule. The EP has strength enough to recover and delivers and otherwise entertaining combination of songs.