Recorded on an 8-track towards the end of 2008, 'Sobriety and the Woman' is 3 minutes, 14 seconds of dark, brooding acoustica that pitches Ben de la Cour as a raw musician with the lyrical wisdom of a vitriolic Leonard Cohen. www.myspace.com/bendelacour

Having created one of the most talked about folk albums of the last 12 months, Drever, McCusker, Woomble are celebrating their recent sold-out UK tour by giving 'Into The Blue' - the sublimely gorgeous stand-out track from 'Before The Ruin' - away as a free Mp3. Their recent performance at the Celtic Connections festival (which the Beeb's Culture Show filmed live) was immense, especially alongside the added vocal delights of Heidi Talbot. 2009 promises to be another fine year for the trio. www.drevermccuskerwoomble.com

While folk music may sit at the centre of The Martin Green Machine around it splashes of jazz, dance and avant-rock whir and clatter with giddy abandon. The stand-out track from The Martin Green Machine's new album 'First Sighting' is 'Give Up The Body', a sample-heavy slice of brain-frazzling creativity that will leave you rocking in a foetal position at the foot of your stereo. In the best possible way imaginable. www.navigatorrecords.co.uk

February 2009