This UK ensemble have followed up a collaboration with Mulatu Astatke with their most compellingly immersive work to date.

Produced again by Joe Henry, the follow-up to Let Them Talk follows a similar format of easy-rolling jazz arrangements and simpatico guest spots supporting Hugh Laurie's blues piano.

There's a strange, archaic feel to the songs of head Messenger, MC Taylor, with their Biblical references and invocations to “cleave ye to the rock”.

If Mount Moriah's Heather McEntire were a contestant on a TV talent show, she'd get this vote within half a second of opening her mouth.

The 2010 outtake collection Valleys of Neptune covered the final recordings of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Wales captain has fallen out of favour

Beyonce will sing the national anthem at President Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony.

The 10 albums that comprise this box set depict one of the most extraordinary career arcs in all of pop music, testament to the questing intelligence with which Joni Mitchell approached music.

Any Christmas album that begins with a rendition of "Silent Night" on the musical saw (from David Coulter) scores points, at least, for originality.

Generous, creative – and still groovy after all these years

Once upon a time in the Near Country

Each new Donald Fagen album is like trading in your old car for a new version of the same model.

Six albums down the line, Dirty Projectors – aka David Longstreth and his band – show no signs of settling into any one formula.

Another older black talent supported by younger artists – here, indie stalwarts Jon Spencer, The Mekons and The Sadies – Andre Williams is a renegade r'*'b spirit who remains, in his seventies, as scurrilous as ever.