Rootsmusic.co.uk - For the Best Roots and Acoustic Music

Ben Harper goes back to the old school and records his latest album "Lifeline", live in the studio on analogue tape without a computer in sight. A rootsy soulful trip through 11 acoustic tracks spanning blues, soul, folk and gospel his best work of recent years.

Martha Scanlan's debut album "The West is Burning" is an album of effortless beauty. Maybe it's the the stripped down rootsy production of Dirk Powell, or Martha's delicate and gentle vocal. Tracks like "I don't even have to ask" sooth like a sweet lullaby. Conjuring up images of a gorgeous prairie plain just before sunset

Lahana Deering has been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin and Christine McVie. When combined with the inventive guitar work of Rev Neil Downs, you are in for a roots rocking treat. The sound is reminiscent of Lucinda Williams at times not least on the sensual "Sad Love".

Andrew Cadie and Mark Sinclair are both accomplished folk musicians, but it's the joyful exuberance of their music which sets it apart, traditional political songs such as "Working Men of England" and "Chains of Tyranny" mix with self penned tracks such as the instrumental Shearer's No 9 .

A near fatal heart attack in 2002 persuaded Bill Homans a.k.a. Watermelon Slim to give up hauling industrial waste and dedicate himself to his first love playing deep swamp blues music. It successfully manages to encompass strands of country and soul on one hot smoking track after another.

Acclaimed blues guitarists Dave Gross proves that he is also a dab hand at production. Managing to get a sound of a band playing in a room, that works in this computer dominated times. Gina's soulful blues vocal is kept centre stage at all times evoking memories of Etta James.

Keiran Halpin is the type of Singer Songwriter that doesn't mind wearing his heart on his sleeve. Songs take on a wide range of subjects from Politics with "Letter to America", or religious doubt on tracks such as "Yellow Like Van Goth" and matters of the heart "These Foolish Plans"

Stacy Mitchhart serves up over an hour of straight ahead blues. This comes jazz tinged on many tracks not least the brass laden opener "Trying to get that feeling back again". He has a more stripped down feel on tracks such as the Led Zep Medley Black/Dog/Whole lotta love . Superb guitar work throughout.

Duncan McFarlane plays English Folk Rock, traditional and originals. Electric guitar riffs are tastefully played by Anne Brivonese and Geoff Taylor adding colour and excitement to intricate folk arrangements. Recorded live, the songs have a raw energy giving you a glimpse of what a rollicking good live band they are.

David Leakey - Poet and Songwriter for over 30 years. rubbing shoulders with Attila the Stockbroker and other luminaries of the late 70's New Wave Punk Poet scene. This album looks at a wide variety of issues 7th July Bombings on "One Day in London" matters of the heart "It must be you" and civil liberties "Freedom is a Flexible Word"