well as adrian is away on holiday it’s just been me in the studio this week. i’ve been busy! here’s the albums that have got me through a testing week:

shine eyed mister zen by kelly joe phelps is an album i’ve had for a few years and it makes a comeback in times of stress and need. this is seriously heart-felt acoustic blues, its not feelgood music, it’s pure and simple with nothing but kelly joe’s rasping yet soft voice and beautiful acoustic picking. it reminds me of camping at the end of summers at deserted beaches, when the air is starting to chill and the nights begin to draw in, playing guitar with friends.

sufjan stevens album come on feel the illinoise is the second of sufjan’s 50 states project album’s, where each album relates to one of america’s states. whether he seriously intends to do this is debated but if he does and all the albums are as good as this it’d be worth owning them all. sufjan’s style of folk is original and beautiful, and very emotional, referencing the places and people of illinois. his lyrics often relate to his faith and you’ll best know his songs for being used in the FiveUS pre-programme stings on TV.

elephant eyelash by why? is a strange album. i’d call it folk hip-hop. why? began life as a solo project but has since become a full band. they are part of the anticon collective of artist who have produced some very original work, taking hip-hop to a more poetic level with elements of electronica, folk and minimalist music. why? features some of the more pop tinged elements of this genre and is really fun.