The Telegraph — Scottish singer's live album is a gorgeous treat. Rating * * * * more info

Guardian Music — (Machair)The pin-up of traditional Scottish folk, Fowlis has touched an audience normally immune to the charms of Gaelic crofters' songs, such is the sweetness of her voice. Drawn from her three studio albums, this live set from last year's Amber fes... more info

Guardian Music — (White Fall)If Julie Fowlis is the finest young Gaelic singer in the thriving Scottish folk scene, then Emily Smith is surely the most impressive young instrumentalist and songwriter singing in English – though she makes such extensive use of diale... more info

Guardian Music — (World Connection)One of the most rousing and inventive folk-rock albums of the year comes from the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, via Beijing. Hanggai's fearsome-looking singer Ilchi started out playing in punk bands, then travelled from the Chinese ... more info

All About Jazz — Whispers from the Islands: The World of Gaelic Singer Julie Fowlis Comes of Age on Uam The shushing that leads a cow to give bountiful milk. The beat and pounding of tweed on the table. The whisper of a wry lover trying to sneak in his beloved's win... more info

Scotsman.com — JULIE FOWLIS **** QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH more info

JamBase — TEXAS SONGWRITERS JOIN FINAL LINEUP AT OLD SETTLER'S MUSIC FESTIVAL Robert Earl Keen, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hayes Carll Part of a Huge Lineup Certain to Out-Glow the Stars of the Hill Country 35-Act, 4-Stage, 4-Day Event to Celebrate Best of Bluegrass... more info

Time Out, London — Scottish fiddler McCusker has assembled a stellar line-up of musicians in this touring performance of folk band music, augmented by instrumental arrangements, rock balladry and new Gaelic lament. Ex-Blur guitarist Coxon... more info

Guardian Music — BeyoncéI Am… Sasha Fierce ( RCA) £12.99Sasha Fierce is the nom de guerre that allows a God-fearing Texan wallflower, Beyoncé Knowles, to turn Amazonian. Fierce lends her name to the second of two CDs of this lopsided double album. Unli... more info

Guardian Music — One of the most intriguing folk albums of the year more info