Folk & Traditional / All styles

"I discovered Alireza through Markus Stockhausen, then I eventually published an album of the duo, Hamdelaneh, plus one in trio with Lino Capra Vaccina. I was struck by Alireza’s absolute virtuosity, never an end in itself, his impressive musicality, his ability to listen to sounds and silences. His music, like his approach to santoor, is truly revolutionary, personal, spiritual, innovative and yet... for those who, like me, love the immense heritage of traditional Persian music, perceive its ro…

Several years in the making, Lion can now finally deliver on our promise of another Groove Club volume dedicated to the deep and moving (and grooving) compositions of Sinn Sisamouth, sung by the Emperor of Khmer music himself, alone or duetting with the other legendary singer of those halcyon days in Cambodian music: Ros Sereysothea, the "Queen with the Golden Voice.”

Sir Richard Bishop returns with Hillbilly Ragas, an album of raw, solo acoustic guitar explorations. Stripping back to basics, he blends American Primitive style with East Indian raga, creating untamed, rhythmic pieces that evoke the spirit of an outsider’s folk tradition.

The begena is a ten-stringed lyre central to Ethiopia’s Amharic heritage and Orthodox Tewahido Church. Reserved for spiritual music, it is revered for its mythical origins and unique buzzing sound. Symbolically crafted, the begena is believed to ward off evil and connect players to the divine.

Julian Cope, The Prince of Fried has brung forth 12 brand new humdingers: all hummable and lyrically compelling and replete with wah-acoustic guitars and beautiful orchestrations of Mellotron 400 from Liverpool’s Blondest. So inhale the garage fuzz dub of 'R in the Hood'; the mantric powerdrive of 'Four Jehovahs in a Volvo Estate'; the sentimental Pete Burns lamentations of 'In Spungent Mansions'… and who could resist the affectionate micro-trolling of 'Will Sergeant’s Blues'?Stay cosy, defiant …

New Music for the 6 String Guitar is the 7th studio album from Radnorshire based guitarist Toby Hay. His debut in 2017 ‘The Gathering’, and 2018’s, ‘The Longest Day’, were both nominated for the Welsh Music Prize. This new album is a follow up to 2019’s ‘New Music For The 12 String Guitar’. Since then, he has released two collaborative albums, 2023’s self-titled ‘Jim Ghedi & Toby Hay’ released on the legendary Topic label, and 2024’s ‘After a Pause’, with Aidan Thorne, released on his own, Cambr…

For the first time on vinyl, two hidden gems from Eduardo Mateo’s songbook, recorded in Buenos Aires between 1968 and 1971 at the legendary TNT studios. These versions remained unreleased for over five decades… until now.

The record is largely sung in Scots language, one of Scotland’s three official languages along with Gaelic and English. “Scots gives me a way of expressing myself which is connected directly with the landscapes I love. It brings the songs alive and it is a fascinating language. The name of the record is in Scots - Forefowk means the people who came before, or ancestors. When we say ‘mind me,’ we can mean a few things- remind, remember, watch over or care for me. The record explores how tradition…

"Pasé Bél Tan" bridges Louisiana’s past and present through a 34-track compilation and a bilingual book, uniting archival and modern sounds. It explores Francophone/Creole heritage and identity, inviting dialogue on music’s evolving legacy.

80s synth magic for the four-track mind. DIY outsider Rick Cuevas was a post-punk refugee on a vision quest for a hit. Tracked at home in 1984, "The Birds" is that 40-year-delayed viral smash, one of eight retro-futurist anthems that make up Cuevas' debut album. Remastered from the analog masters, this 40th anniversary edition replicates the 200-copy original for max teleportation value.

When not gazing out windows into the stormy Manhattan skyline, Margo Guryan spent her thirties banging out earworms for the likes of Bobbie Gentry, Jackie DeShannon, Claudine Longet, Carmen McCrae, and Julie London at CBS’s April Blackwood Music. Guryan’s timeless musings on love, Sundays, earthquakes, crying, and boys named Timothy have soundtracked countless films and viral videos—enduring masterpieces from the before times. 28 of her ’60s and ’70s songwriting demos are collected on this 25th …

James Blackshaw’s ‘Unraveling In Your Hands’ marks his return post-hiatus, blending hypnotic, precise guitar and minimalist influences. The album, praised for its emotive depth and beauty, features meditative tracks and earned critical acclaim, including an 8.0 from Pitchfork.

“Hiraeth,” the second collaborative album by Sofie Birch and Antonina Nowacka, explores longing for the intangible. Inspired by Welsh “hiraeth,” the duo’s acoustic improvisations—recorded in Sokołowsko and Copenhagen—prioritize vulnerability, nature, and analog warmth, crafting music that feels alive and deeply connected.

"The Polydor Years" is a comprehensive triple-CD box set released in 2019 by Floating World Records, chronicling the formative and most influential period of the Pink Fairies, one of the UK’s cult underground rock bands of the early 1970s. This collection brings together the band's first three albums originally released on Polydor Records: "Never Never Land" (1971), "What A Bunch Of Sweeties" (1972), and "Kings of Oblivion" (1973), showcasing the group’s evolution from psychedelic rock to proto-…

Released by Floating World Records on March 8, 2024, Live At The Fillmore East (June 5th, 1968) captures The Incredible String Band at a pivotal moment in their career. This live album documents a mesmerizing performance at New York’s legendary Fillmore East, showcasing the British psychedelic folk pioneers as they deliver tracks from their influential early albums, including The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion and The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. The setlist also features early renditi…

The influence of the Texan, who died in 1997, on the alternative country scene was quite simply decisive. His songs have been interpreted by numerous stars, including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris and even Bob Dylan. This double CD contains two live recordings - from 1985 in Johnson City, Tennessee, and from 1993 in Helsinki. Among the 29 tracks are some of his best-known songs, including 'Pancho And Leftyʼ, 'If I Needed Youʼ, 'Tecumseh Valleyʼ, 'To Live To Flyʼ, 'Flyin' Shoesʼ, '…

Nearly four years to the date after the release of Higher Order, Eric Arn’s previous release for Carbon Records, we are releasing his latest collection of guitar excursions.

Afro-Colombian Pacific rites like gualíes, alabaos, & levantamientos accompany the dead, easing grief & strengthening community bonds through song, prayer, and solidarity.

"Extra Width," released in 1993, is the third album by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Fusing punk blues with garage rock and rockabilly, it captures the band's raw energy and innovative sound. With standout tracks like "Afro" and "Soul Letter," the album solidified their reputation for wild, groove-driven rock.

Centripetal Force (North America), Cardinal Fuzz (UK), and Radio Khiyaban (Europe) are excited to announce Mohammad Mostafa Heydarian's second album Noor-e Vojood. The album is being presented digtial;y, as well as a 500 copy vinyl pressing. The album will be made available for preorder on January 24. Its release date is March 7. Mohammad Mostafa Heydarian was born on the first of January, 2002 in Kermanshah, a city in western Iran. Kermanshah is the home of the tanbur, a pear shaped lute whose …

A masterclass of intimate electric blues — every bit as immediate and gripping as the much-revered Muddy Waters “Real Folk Blues” LP.

Recorded in situ in the highlands of Lesotho—one of the world’s most elevated and perilous nations—the group Famo Mountain crafts raw, topical music driven by visceral vocals, accordion and percussion. This sound not only echoes the rugged beauty and harsh realities of its environment but also rises above them, creating something timeless and transcendent. “For Those Left Behind” is an unforgettable audio snapshot capturing the soul of a remote music and culture. Recorded and produced by Grammy-…

After the remarkable success and acclaim that greeted her second album Carry Them With Us (tak:til / Glitterbeat, 2023), Scottish composer and small pipes player Brìghde Chaimbeul returns with a magic(k)al third album, Sunwise, which sees her push forward experimentally but also immerse her music more deeply in tradition, folklore and mystery. Chaimbeul has travelled in a short time from her roots as a teenage piping contest winner into a fearless, widescreen artistry. She appeared on avant-pop …

The faultless Analog Africa presents another superb reissue project here, this time looking to two rare 1980s gems by Ousmane Kouyate, a master guitarist and heir to the Griot tradition. He was a key figure in Les Ambassadeurs alongside Mory Kante and Salif Keita and helped shape modern Mandingue music with his electrifying take on the genre. The tracks presented here, 'Kefimba' and 'N'Ny' were originally released on cassette and later vinyl but are hard to find. They showcase his funk-infused s…

Ramiro Rodriguez—Son Bayoú accordionist–shouted into the microphone: "We started at the pulga and now we're here!" The crowd erupted. He adjusted his red Hohner accordion to lead his band into a blistering rendition of Andres Landero's "La Pava Congona." "Here" was the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston: the Bayou City's preeminent modern arts museum which invited the group to perform their barrio cumbia inside their hallowed spaces. When I first met them, formerly as Reyno Sabanero, they had i…

2013 release ** "The Kel Tamasheq people of the Sahara respect an ancient social order of noble families supported by lesser nobles, craftsmen and former slaves. Noble princes never would pick up a musical instrument -- that was for the craftsman, the griot, the professional bard, or the lesser nobles. But all that has changed during the droughts and rebellions of the past 50 years. The whole social order has been challenged. In the 1970s, electric guitars appeared in the desert. Everything bega…

A captivating compilation of eight tracks by Drissi El-Abbassi, Rai Sidi Bel Abbes – Volume 2 explores the fusion of traditional Raï music with modern electronic elements, highlighting El-Abbassi's soft vocal style and innovative approach to the genre's evolution

On October 2 1958, after over 60 years of colonial rule, Guineans voted overwhelmingly for their independence, and Guinea was declared a Republic with Sékou Touré as President. Guinea was the first of West Africa’s Francophone colonies to gain independence. To free Guinea from its colonial legacy, president Touré sought to restore dignity to his nation and give cause for Guineans to take pride in their culture, history and newfound freedom. To achieve this, he instructed his government to implem…

An official collection of otherworldly and beautiful folk songs performed in 1980 in Canada by pupils (singers) and their teachers (instruments). Three songs are taken from a scarce privately pressed 'mysterious' Lp released under a different moniker. Two songs are unreleased songs from that session in 1980. For fans of The Langley Schools Music Project (Echo Singers steal the cake!!!) and even fans of performers like Belle and Sebastian should take note! Comes with liner notes by people involve…

2007 release **  ""non potho reposare" is the title of a Sardinian folk song, but none of these songs, however old they may be, should be relegated to oblivion. hence the meaning and title of the work: a reinterpretation of folk songs, some of which are very popular and almost "inflated", others more refined. however, roberto and paola never fall into the obvious, despite the minimal instrumentation: voice, a bit of accordion, double bass, no effects. the two artists have approached this materia…

*2025 stock* Born in 1945, Guo Yongzhang has performed zhuizi, a traditional Chinese style of narrative singing, for half a century. An artform whose history spans over a century, zhuizi originated in Henan province. Its main musical instruments are the zhuihu, a two-stringed bowed lute, and the zhuibang, a wooden percussion played with foot tapping. Almost completely blind, Guo Yongzhang is known for his peculiar, resounding yet smooth vocal style. He sings with deep feelings and great verve. L…

2025 stock  Ben Bo Er Ba & Ba Bo Er Ben（BBB & BBB）is an ever-changing, fascinating duo. Quirky Pipa and spiritual flute are the backbone, the two artists also randomly utilize all kinds of instrument they like, wandering freely in the musical realm, breaking and reconstructing the atmosphere. Their music may be a spell, a password, or perhaps a tongue-twister: ben ben bo bo, bo ben, bo ben bo, ben ba, bo ba, bo ba... Feel free to carry on “ben bo”ing.

*2025 stock* These are live recordings of Nikhil Banerjee at KPFA Radio in Berkeley, California, on the 9th of July, 1967. It is for the first time they are made into vinyl record and published in China. The original recordings were on two reel-to-reel tapes. In 1988, American record label Raga Records released the recordings on both CD and cassette. Until a few years ago, it was by chance that producer Tu Fei got hold of these reel-to-reel tapes and decided to release this vinyl version, hoping…

This studio album is recorded after Guo Yongzhang performing on the 5th Tomorrow Festival stage.

2007 release **

Tip! Tip! Tip! "This is how deep dive historical explorations of music you might have missed should be done: rich in detail and captivating. This is for people who love music by people who love music. Perfectly concepted and exquisitely delivered.” - Henry RollinsTreasures Untold : A Modern 78 RPM Reader is a beautiful 10 x 10" 155 page hardcover book with CD, ltd ed of 1000, numbered foil stamp. The CD contains ten covers of 78-era songs by artists such as Luther Dickinson, Eden & John's East R…

2015 release ** Limited edition of 900 hand-numbered copies. "Real Essence is an album made with the acoustic Tricanta Veena, recorded in India, in the spiritually dense hours before dawn. The music of this great comeback by Paolo Tofani is not only for lovers of Indian music. As if Robbie Basho had lived in India, it is influenced by the East and the West. A new music, syncretic and deeply rich in inner peace, recorded with an impressive sound, like a hi-fi demonstration, without any tricks or …

2025 stock "Currently out of print on CD, Michael Yonkers's Grimwood finally receives its long-overdue vinyl re-release (with download code included). Yonkers's first four LPs were released simultaneously in 1973, but it is Grimwood, his first, that regular commands the biggest bucks on the collector-scum market. Recorded in 1969, less than a couple years after the material eventually released as Microminiature Love, Grimwood sounds like it emanates from another universe entirely. Straightforwar…

2012 release ** “While guitarist Yair Yona was first lured into the world of acoustic fingerpicking by a Bert Jansch CD that he found in a London shop, the Takoma school is his foundation. Like Steffen Basho-Junghans, he’s embraced this fundamentally American style on its own terms, learned its language inside out, and still made music that’s true to an upbringing on the far side of the Greenwich Meridian.” Recommended if you like: John Fahey, Robbie Basho, Leo Kottke, American Primitive Guitar,…