Seprewa Kasa - Seprewa Kasa (World Music Network)

The kora deservedly occupies a special place in the affections of fans of African music. In the hands of a master such as Toumani Diabate, Foday Musa Suso or Ballake Sissoko, the crisp sound of this 21 string instrument is exquisite and unmistakable. With Seprewa Kasa musician Kari Banaman (Osibisa) is doing his best to introduce listeners to the sound of the kora's largely forgotten Ghanaian cousin the seprewa, as played by two of its foremost exponents Osei Korankye and Baffour Kyerematen. Lacking the brightness of the kora, the ten-stringed seprewa sounds warmer, more earthy than ethereal. It is easy to see how the seprewa might have become eclipsed by the guitar as the dominant instrument during the evolution of highlife. Even here, on a recording intended to restore its place in Ghanaian music, the seprewa's acoustics are frequently overwhelmed by the guitar, vocals and percussion. Nevertheless, I'm happy to play lost and found and make a little room in my heart for this ancient stringed instrument.

India Alba - Reels and Ragas (Phat Controller)

As both the ensemble's name and the CD title suggest, India Alba is a fusion project that brings together two musicians trained in Indian classical music with two Scottish trad players to explore the affinities between the raga gats of north India and the melodies of the highlands and islands. As if that wasn't sufficiently exploratory, they also make a brief Antipodal excursion and give a complete makeover to AC/DC's Thunderstruck. Too often efforts like this end up sounding like a patchwork, but, to their credit, India Alba succeed in weaving whole cloth. Nigel Richard's cittern and Gyan Singh's tabla provide a solid foundation for the instrumental flourish provided by Ross Ainslie's pipes and whistles and – especially – the improvisations of Sharat Srivastava on violin. After repeated listening I remain unconvinced that the border pipes are particularly sympathetic with Indian violin. On the other hand, when the pipes are replaced by whistles the effect is quite striking.

Chuck Brodsky - Two Sets (Waterbug)

There's a school of thought that says America doesn't 'do' irony. While there are plenty of examples in public life to support the case, there are artists like Chuck Brodsky (and his deeply appreciative audiences) who provide a convincing counter argument. Not quite as laconic as John Prine, nor as acerbic as Loudon Wainwright, Brodsky writes with a wit that sits comfortably somewhere between the two. A jester in the truest sense, Brodsky's narratives about relationships, life in America and its leaders are closely and sharply observed, but sufficiently sugared with humour to ensnare and disarm all but the most deeply entrenched Red Stater. Two Sets is a live recording on 2 CDs that successfully captures the intimacy of a folk club performance. My only quibble is Brodsky's tendency – and he's hardly alone among folk singers in this regard – to use his intros to provide an executive summary for songs that really should be left to speak for themselves. At twenty-five tracks, I could have left quite satisfied after one set; however, diehard fans will happily settle in for the full duration.

Cath & Phil Tyler - Dumb Supper (No-Fi)

If you like your ballads dark, spare and of the murder variety then this one's for you. To quote from the fittingly named blog Cows are Just Food, Dumb Supper "is pretty far removed from the crusty old feedeldydee stuff that put me off traditional music… anyone who likes their music brittle and bloody and endearingly raw should get a kick out of this." Pretty much sums it up. However, I will add that Cath Tyler (fka Oss) prior to moving to Newcastle and marrying Geordie Phil Tyler was formerly a member of the equally memorable Cordelia's Dad. In Cath and Phil Tyler, Brett and Rennie Sparks (aka The Handsome Family) might well have found rivals for homecoming king and queen of the American Gothic music scene.