High Fences - James Edwyn and The Borrowed Band (06/10/17)

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• Artist: James Edwyn & The Borrowed Band

• Release Date: 6th October, 2017

• Genre: Americana, Rock

• Record Label: Dead Records Collective

• Tracks: 10

• Website:

• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

Glasgow based Scottish Americana & Folk-Rock band James Edwyn & The Borrowed Band are certainly making waves. After the excitement and critical acclaim surrounding their debut album ‘The Tower’ in 2014, their second album ‘High Fences’ released in October 2017 certainly lives up it’s promise. It’s released on the band’s own Dead Record Collective label and is currently winning them even more attention. The band feature James Edwyn, Emma Joyce, Scott Keenan, Ronnie Gilmour, Ross McLaughlin and Neil McDonald

They thrilled at this years AMA UK conference & showcase and also performed on the main stage of the FATEA’s 30th birthday bash in Bournemouth. They have been very busy this year with a UK tour and many other successful festival appearances.

‘High Fences' is a perfect showcase of the bands unique combination of the finest melody-driven songwriting along with their trademark attention to production and arrangement. The inclusion of pedal steel and horns adding an extra dimension.

There are echoes of The Band too in the interplay and rich grooves in ‘Get Back Up’. It is a album of wonderful contrast and texture including the guitar-driven alt-country of the opening track ‘Passing San Ysidro’ , the gentle flow and reflection of ‘Pushing Statues’ through to the soulful ‘Quoting Sagan’. Soul and heart is what this album has in abundance. There is even the lovely ‘Never In A While’ which strips everything down to just James Edwyn on acoustic guitar. It perfectly suits the intimate nature of the song.

With it’s gentle melodic pop sway, ‘Starlet’ is another particular highlight of mine, with Emma Joyce’s harmony vocals adding to the rich mix. The album closes on two slow waltzers with ‘Burning Man’ and Ronnie Gilmour’s guitar playing perfectly complementing James Edwyn’s soulful and heartfelt delivery in ‘Doubts’ bringing to mind CSNY and The Eagles.

Buy the album here >>>

Raised Under Grey Skies - JP Cooper (06/10/17)

• Artist: JP Cooper

• Release Date: 6th October 2017

• Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Soul, Rock, Pop

• Record Label: Universal / Island

• Tracks: 13

• Website: https://jpcoopermusic.com/

The excellent debut album by Manchester singer-songwriter JP Cooper

Lowdown & Lonesome - Kendell Marvel (13/10/17)

• Artist: Kendall Marvel
• Genre: Country, Americana, Rock
• Release Date: 13th October, 2017.
• Record Label: Big Daddy Records
• Tracks: 10
• Website: http://www.kendellmarvel.com/

Fifteen - The Walin' Jennys (27/10/17)

• Band: The Walin' Jennys
• Release Date: 27th October, 2017
• Genre: Indie Folk, Roots, Acoustic
• Record Label:True North Records
• Tracks: 9
• Website: 

Now celebrating their fifteenth year together with an album appropriately call 'Fifteen'. The Wailin' Jennys again bring their own arrangements and harmonies to some of their favorite covers.

"We think the album has a live, real, moment-in-time kind of feel to it, and are so happy to be putting it out there for our fans. Some of the covers are songs we've had arranged for a while but haven't had the chance to record. The others were brought to the mix for this record. They are all songs that are close to our heart for one reason or another or that feel appropriate for the times." - The Wailin' Jennys

Tyminski - Southern Gothic (20/10/17)

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• Artist: Dan Tyminski

• Genre: Americana, Country, Singer-Songwriter

• Release Date: 27th October, 2017

• Record Label: UMG Nashville

• Tracks: 13

• Website: http://tyminskimusic.com/

• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

With a musical career has spanning over three decades it is always very exciting when Dan Tyminski releases new material. Now, the Vermont-born singer-songwriter is releasing his excellent solo 13-track album 'Southern Gothic' through Decca (UMC) under a solitary moniker ‘Tyminski’. Dan is very well know for being part of Alison Krauss' supergroup Union Station, the singing voice of George Clooney in 'Oh Brother' and provided the vocals on EDM artist Avicii's global smash "Hey Brother." He is also a superb singer-songwriter in his own right.

The new album sees Dan mixing his roots music pedigree with a wide range of contemporary influences on 13 songs he co-wrote with some of country's best and brightest talents. Many of the songs were inspired by what Dan describes as his perceptions of "light and dark" and originally written for other artists, though he ultimately decided to record them himself. Co-writers on Southern Gothic include Sarah Buxton, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Monroe, Josh Kear and the late Andrew Dorff.

Order your copy in the link below >>>

Endless Light - Charlotte Campbell (20/10/17)

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• Release date: 20th October, 2017
• Genre: Pop, Singer-songwriter
• Record Label: Independent
• Tracks: 11
• Website: http://www.charlottecampbell.co.uk

Alterum - Julie Fowlis (27/10/17)

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• Artist: Julie Fowlis
• Genre: Traditional folk, Gaelic Folk, Scottish Music
• Release Date: 27th October, 2017
• Record Label: Machair Records Ltd
• Tracks: 11
• Website: www.juliefowlis.com

'Fowlis's ascent to international stardom, putting Gaelic folk on the world music map, is evidence that a sublime voice transcends language and culture' - Guardian

Julie Fowlis originally hails from North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and is now based in the Highlands of Scotland. Firmly established as a world music artist with a natural interest and ability to cross-over into other genres and styles, she will forever be known as the singing voice of Merida, the female protagonist in the Disney-Pixar Oscar/Bafta/Golden Globe winning movie 'Brave'.

During an impressive career spanning more than a decade, with multiple awards, accolades and four studio albums, she has until now, sung primarily in Scottish Gaelic. The Latin title of her fifth studio album 'Alterum' gently suggests that this record is a departure from what has gone before.

The Doctrine Of Song - Tracey Browne (31/10/17)

• Artist: Tracey Browne
• Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Pop
• Release Date: 31st October, 2017
• Record Label: Tracey Browne
• Tracks: 10
• Website: http://www.traceybrowne.co.uk/

Tracey Browne is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and session singer; her credits include recording projects by Thea Gilmore, Nigel Stonier and a host of independent artists.

From producing and recording other artists, to singing and playing live with bands and songwriters of many different genres, Tracey has become one of the most versatile musicians to work with in the UK. Playing guitar, piano, tenor guitar, bass guitar, Q-chord and providing outstanding vocals, both on her own songs and harmonising with others, she is in demand on the professional circuit.

Tracey trained as a sound engineer at Manchester’s ‘Airtight Studios’, where she recorded and mixed her 2 EP’s, ‘Tooth and Nail’, (2007) and ‘The Cat and the Moon’, (2009), her album ‘Everyone Is Ordinary’, (2012) and her duo album with Raevennan Husbandes ‘East by North West’ (2015).

Wanderer - Cara Dillon (13/10/17)

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• Artist: Cara Dillon
• Genre: Folk
• Release Date: 13th October, 2017
• Record Label: Charcoal Records
• Tracks: 10
• Website: www.caradillon.co.uk

Cara Dillon, one of the most celebrated singers in Irish Folk music, announces the release of her brand new album 'Wanderer'.

For this, her seventh album, the award-winning singer once again collaborates with longtime musical partner, producer and husband Sam Lakeman to offer a collection of songs featuring intimate performances that capture some of her most moving vocal performances to date.

Building upon a career based on folk songs rooted in time and place, Wanderer sees Cara delve deeper into the tradition, not finding reasons to circumvent it. The underlying theme being the movement of people, of emigration and the pursuit of love. It's a collection that speaks to Cara's fascination with songs of departure and the powerful desire to belong.

Each of the album's ten tracks feature beautifully sparse piano and acoustic guitar arrangements by Sam Lakeman, who also produces. His experience and expertise were both key in making this album stand apart from Cara's previous. It's warm and intimate; the mood is stripped back and relaxed; the songs are beautiful and full of space with every moment thoroughly self-assured. Guest performances by Kris Drever, John Smith, Justin Adams, Niall Murphy and Ben Nicholls provide modest and expressive backing, helping to make this a sincere and understated work of art.

Throughout an enviable career which has seen her explore opportunities to tread many different paths – from releasing folk crossover albums on indie label Rough Trade; working on Disney soundtracks to collaborations with leading UK dance DJ/producers – Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her cultural heritage and that's something to celebrate. With a more mature and reflective tone, Wanderer will no doubt transcend genres just as effortlessly as her highly successful albums Hill Of Thieves (2009) and A Thousand Hearts (2014) and increase her already impressive list of fans. "What may well be the world's most beautiful female voice" - MOJO "Loved every single album you've put out...sublime, heavily recommend to anyone." - Ed Sheeran "This woman's voice holds so many beautiful memories in my heart." - Sam Smith "Dillon's crystalline, angelic voice, an instrument of rare beauty capable of melting the sternest of hearts" - BBC

Blue Rose Code - The Waters Of Leith (27/10/12)

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• Artist: Blue Rose Code
• Genre: Celticana, Folk Singer-Songwriter
• Release Date: 27th October, 2017
• Record Label: Navigator Records
• Tracks: 12
• Website: http://www.bluerosecode.com/

A nomad both geographically and musically, Ross Wilson, aka Blue Rose Code, writes from the heart eschewing any specific genre and the twelve new songs on his new album 'The Water Of Leith', addressing themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future, are painted with colours of folk, jazz, soul and pop; an eclecticism that has become a hallmark of Blue Rose Code and has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits.

Underlining the sense of movement and place in Ross's work, The Water Of Leith is rooted in his return to his Scottish homeland. There, he reconnected with the stellar musicians who were to become an integral part of the new album's sound: multi award-winning singer Julie Fowlis, celebrated Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes, BBC Folk Award Winner, Ross Ainslie, 2017's Scottish Jazz Awards' instrumentalist of the year Konrad Wiszniewski, leading violinist Seonaid Aitken and three of Scotland's finest jazz musicians; John Lowrie, Colin Steele and James Lindsay, to name just some of the contributors. Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman features on the opening track. Ross co-produced the album with Angus Lyon.

In the space of a few short years and the release of well-received albums North Ten, The Ballads Of Peckham Rye, and And Lo The Bird Is On The Wing, Blue Rose Code has built a growing reputation as a powerful writer and performer, gaining extensive radio play and the praise of key broadcasters including Edith Bowman, Mary Ann Kennedy, Bob Harris and also actor Ewan McGregor who made a cameo appearance on And Lo The Bird Is On The Wing after commenting: "My uncle Denis Lawson (star of Local Hero) gave me a copy of The Ballads Of Peckham Rye, it's beautiful and I can't stop listening to it."

Findlay Napier - Glasgow (13/10/17)

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• Artist: Findlay Napier
• Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter
• Release Date: 13th October, 2017
• Record Label: Cheerygroove Records
• Tracks: 11
• Website: http://www.findlaynapier.com/

In 1997 I moved from the banks of the River Spey to the fourteenth floor of the Red Road Flats in Springburn. I was born in Glasgow and had visited the city periodically over the years, the Garden Festival in ‘89 and City of Culture in ‘90 being particular highlights. I remember the buildings being black. I remember being jostled by the people on Buchanan Street. I remember the sound and the shoogle of the Clockwork Orange. I remember the people and their patter. I remember it like the first time I watched Blade Runner. I remember it like the first time I saw Billy Connolly. 

Mostly I witnessed Glasgow from afar. On the telly it was a place full of humour: Francie & Josie, Naked Video and Rab C. Nesbitt. Taggart, bookended with Maggie Bell’s ‘No Mean City, was Glasgow’s darker side. 

I heard the music, I even sang some of the songs; street songs, folk songs, mimicking Frankie Miller’s Tennent’s selling growl or howling along to City to City on long car journeys north. Yet I was so out of touch with the city’s music I didn’t know that Del Amitri bloke with the leather trousers off the telly was from Glasgow. Rab Noakes’ Standing Up introduced me to The Blue Nile and Michael Marra. I came round to The Bard of Dundee very quickly but I confess it was years before I understood the wonder of those four immaculate albums by The Blue Nile. 

By ‘97 Glasgow was undergoing a kind of spring cleaning for the forthcoming City of Architecture. It was the gleaming champagne and red sandstone promised land. I was seventeen and about to enroll on the first ever BA in Scottish Music at the RSAMD. ‘Jock Hawk’s Adventures in Glasgow’ would be a good soundtrack for the next few years of my life in Glasgow, that or ‘Erin Go Bragh,’ a clueless country bumpkin falling in every pitfall the big smoke had to offer. 

After graduation it never occurred to me to leave Glasgow. It became my home. I’ve been here for almost exactly twenty-one years to the release date of this album. I’ve lived all over the place, mostly in Dennistoun and Haghill, a year on North Street (above The Bon Accord), a year in Bridgeton, some time in Cathcart and I am now settled in Pollokshields. First I was staying here, then I was living here, now this is my home. 

This album is for Glasgow and for the fantastic people I’ve met; unique formidable characters like Big Jim McKenna who told me before walking on stage one night that, “No-one wants to hear you singing your own fuckin* songs. Your sad fuckin songs about your boring fuckin life. They want to hear something they know. Maybe something about their home. Mix them up a bit.” He liked my songs though. He told me when I came off stage. He said I should learn that Hamish Imlach song. I fuckin did. 

*In Glasgow swearing is considered a form of audible punctuation"

The Barr Brothers - Queen Of The Breakers (13/10/17)

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• Artist: The Barr Brothers
• Genre: Sci-Folk, Rock, Roots, Blues, Folk
• Release Date: 13th October, 2017
• Record Label: Republic of Music
• Tracks: 11
• Website: http://www.thebarrbrothers.com/

“Queens of the Breakers” is The Barr Brothers’ finest work yet, a collection of 11 hypnotically fluid songs that speak to the raw, elemental power of reflection, forgiveness, loss, and growing up. The record finds the band, featuring brothers Brad (guitar) and Andrew Barr (drums), and Sarah Pagé (harp), further on their thrilling path of exploring the outer limits of folk, blues, rock and Americana made north of the American border.

Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys - Pretty Peggy (06/10/17)

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• Artist: Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys
• Genre: Folk
• Release Date: 6th October, 2017
• Record Label: Navigator
• Tracks:
• Website: http://samkelly.org/

Absolutely thrilled to announce the release date of our BRAND NEW ALBUM - PRETTY PEGGY. It’s been almost two years since the first album, and we’ve spent that time collecting, writing and arranging new material. We had a pretty amazing two weeks in the studio recording it, and we’re all very proud of the finished product and can’t wait for you to hear it! It’s going to be released on 6TH OCTOBER 2017, and we have signed with Navigator Records who are going to be releasing it. Over the next few months we’re going to be keeping you topped up with videos, single releases and other juicy tidbits so keep your eyes peeled. To kick things off, here is the official music video for the first single from the album - Chasing Shadows.

You can pre-order the new album now from:
Propermusic: http://smarturl.it/za1oxm
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/gqhb6o 
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/j6uums