Newness Abounds

As an international tastemaker and renowned surfer of the zeitgeist I get sent a lot of music to review, far more that I can ever listen to. The vast majority gets unfairly neglected but I do try to find time to listen to records by some of the artists whose names are new to me as well as any old favourites who happen to appear in the inbox. This small hand-picked selection of stuff I have received over the last couple of months is a mix of the two.

First up, and pick of the bunch, is "Cadence" by Cinder Well, one of the finest new folkie types I have heard in a while. The album isn't out until 21 April but is available for pre-order on Bandcamp now. While you are there you should check out her back catalogue as well, in particular her 2020 album "No Summer".

Next we have MF Tomlinson, whose new album "We Are Still Wild Horses" grows on me more with each listen. It is a distinct step up from 2021's "Strange Time", which is worth a listen in its own right. The second side consists of a single 21 minute epic. I thought of posting that what with this being Monday but opted for this relatively modest 8 minute number instead. 

"We Are Still Wild Horses" comes out on Friday, as does "All In Good Time" by Blues Lawyer, the first of the three acts of which I was not previously aware. The others are Jesse Blake Rundle ("Next Town's Trees" - out 3 March) and Darren Jessee ("Central Bridge" - out 24 March).

It isn't entirely accurate to describe Darren Jessee as a new name. He was the drummer in Ben Folds Five and has also appeared on albums by the likes of Josh Rouse, Hiss Golden Messenger and Sharon Van Etten, but this is the first time I've heard his solo stuff. 

As always, many thanks to all the lovely people in Promoland. I'm sorry I can't do you all justice, but keep on doing what you do.

"Two Heads, Grey Mare" - Cinder Well

"The End Of The Road" - MF Tomlinson

"Make Up" - Blues Lawyer

"Yes I'm Angry" - Jesse Blake Rundle

"Riding The Horses" - Darren Jessee

Also worth looking out for is "Ears Of The People", a new compilation of music from Senegal and Gambia featuring the ekonting, a sort of West African banjo, which came out last week on the Smithsonian Folkways. Here is a live version of one of the tracks from that album.