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Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts

Label: Self Released

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

There is nothing quite like listening to two artists totally engaged with their music. Katriona and Jamie play like they live, breathe and adore music. It's rough at the edges, there are better vocalists out there, of both genders, but you can really believe the passion that you hear in the music. Argue amongst yourselves as to 7 tracks being an ep or mini album, simply agree that it's not enough. This is stripped back and gives the impression that bits of the songs were still being explored as they walked up to the microphone. It's a sense of freedom personified.

Album: Trans-Siberian Express

Website: http://www.timpare.com

There can't be that many albums written on the Trans-Siberian Express, well not in English and composed on a guitar rented from a Russian Sniper for a bottle of vodka. It's an album that reflects the environment that it was written in. There is an element of bleakness that permeates the album, but it's not barren. There is both hope and redemption waiting at the end of the journey. It has the sense of the prodigal son about it. Come in my boy, pull up a chair and tell your story. How was the great wide world?

Robb Johnson & The Irregulars

Album: Saturday Night At The Fire Station

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

I'd almost forgotten what a great songwriter Robb Johnson is, until this live CD landed on the doormat. Robb is a real talent. He can write about the big picture stuff, normally from a left of centre angle, but it's his observation and inclusion of everyday life and perspective, that give his songs real meaning. Robb's songs are a night in the pub, with mates and beer, partners and ciggies optional, putting the world to right. Not just ending war, but as likely why the local school needs to be looked after better. It's passion and belief, a great combination

Label: Self Released

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

"Troy Faid" is one of a stream of great guitar picking songwriters that's releasing material at the moment. Troy has managed to catch the essence of southern folk blues and then overlaid a sixties England feel. It gives the music a timeless quality. It also gives it a sense of wanderlust. It's not out of place anywhere, but it doesn't quite belong. It has the delicate strength of lace, but not pristine wedding dress lace, more a doyle that's absorbed the passing of life and bares the stains, but is too beautiful to tuck away in a draw.

Album: All This Is That

Label: Malicious Damage

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

"All This Is That" seems like a real throwback to 1930s and 40s folk blues. It's got the strings being picked and some real Ledbelly in it's guts. The antique sound contracts majestically with some really contemporary lyrics to provide an experience that just works. There's not many songs about comets, but even so "Shoemaker Levy No. 9" must rank as one of the best. Bob Meyer appears to have discovered a new twist on an underperformed genre. Good luck to him and the album

Album: In The Morning

Label: Season Records

Website: http://www.susythomas.com

This is going to seem a little harsh on Susy because had I not seen her perform live before hearing this I'd have said that it's a classic piece of acoustic driven pop, with considered and well thought out lyrics on a highly polished album. Unfortunately having seen Susy live, I know that the production has polished some of the spirit out of the record. It's lost the bubbly personality that surrounds her when she's on stage. It doesn't capture the essence that is there when she performs live. It takes a sparkle and makes it average. Good but could be so much better

Album: Acoustic Extravaganza

Website: http://www.kttunstall.com

"Acoustic Extravaganza" proves beyond all reasonable doubt that KT Tunstall is more than a one trick pony with an effects pedal. KT is a fine singer songwriter, with music providing the heartbeat to her soul. It's an album that doesn't hold back. It tells things like they are and allows folk to continue it's growth into the 21st century. The arrangments are simple and effective, the wording poetry. KT's voice draws you in the songs do the rest. If ever an album's well named it's this one.

The Playing Fields

Album: Hello New World

Label: Cactished Records

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

Call it gothic folk, call it urban desert call it dark rock, call it what you like. In "Hello New World", The Playing Fields have an album that looms at you from out of the shadows and procedes to beat you with dark melody, cutting lyrics and the burning fiddle of Hannah Sless. Hypnotic is a word too often used these days, but what do you say when something genuinely is. The Bland brothers, who sit at the core of the release have a sound that it truly mesmerising. The songs encourage you to explore them and reward you well for the effort

The Pistachios
EP: I Know You Know I Know

Label: Self Released

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

I'm sorry I can't resist. You would be nuts to ignore this recording, 'cause this duo definitely ain't green. Consisting of Sarah Morrey and Richard Kavanagh, The Pistachios, deliver a highly energetic ep that features some great vocal dynamics as Richard and Sarah switch lead and harmony vocals during the course of the songs. They make it all sound so simple, the songs are really stripped back, but surprisingly complex under the surface. You feel that this is a band that can't quite decide to be gentle with you or cut you to the bone.

The Pernice Brothers
Album:Live A Little

Label:One Little Indian

Website: http://www.pernicebrothers.com

Somehow the Pernice Brothers and their predecessor bands managed to evade me. Live A Little corrects that mistake. On hearing the first track on the album, the thought that flashed into my mind was The Kinks. Strong songs that are quintessentially English. Joe Pernice is a songwriter of no mean talent and he's blessed with a band capable of bringing out the best in them. The songs are as rich in images as they are in harmonies. I think I've got a back catalogue to explore, but boy what a starting point.

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

The acoustic pop, songwriter revival continues apace. DBG is Devon's contribution. On the surface BDG is a melodic uptempo, uplifting and lush album. It's the spirit of summer and autumn rolled into song and yes at the edges it's tinted with hippy filth, but that also gives it a darkness that offsets the light. DBG's songs are strong in construct. It has it's rock overtones, the melodies, it's well produced and well arranged. It has more layers than an onion and a flavour that's as distinct.

Old Street Musical Union
Album: Old Street Musical Union

Label: self released

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

Old Street Musical Union(OSMU's self titled album is a little rough about the edges, but that just means you don't know when it's going to snag you next. It catches you, drags you along by the feet, drops you only to catch you and pull you towards it again. OSMU has got weaknesses I think more could be done with "Watching The Mad", it's a great idea, that could be so much more. It's the exception that proves the rule. OSMU seem to have enjoyed making this record and it captures a spirit it's all too easy to lose in the studio.

Album: An Clar Geal (The White Album)

Label: Temple Records

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

Alasdair White takes a sojourn from the Battlefield Band to produce his debut solo album. The combination of self compossed, traditional and contemporary tunes, gives him an opportunity to really let fly with the horsehair bow and give full reign to his undoubted talent as a fiddle player. This is an album that shows the individual talent of a key member of one of Scotland's greatest musical exponents. It's an album that's played with passion and energy and is a worthy solo debut.