The Last Inklings
The Impossible Wild
(Gillywisky Records)
★★★

THIS beguiling collection was the brainchild of Leonardo Mackenzie and David Hoyland, a couple of multitalented musicians whose work is steeped in the spirit of contemporary folk while also offering some fresh new insights into the human condition in these troubled times into the bargain.

Classically trained cellist Leonardo Mackenzie has paid his dues as an in demand session for a decade and a half and both men were formerly members of Kadia, whose debut album, East of Alexandria was showered with critical plaudits when it first saw the light of day in 2015.

Their close working relationship continues to flourish today, as The Impossible Wild explores the role of nature, myth and superstition in the modern world.

The results are exquistely crafted and  endlessly inventive as the duo weave their image-laden narratives via richly rewarding tracks such as Hunter’s Folly, Sleeping Giant and Vespers.

Various Artists
Deep in the Woods — Pastoral Psychedelia & Funky Folk 1968-1975
(Cherry Red)
★★★

YOU can always rely upon Cherry Red Records to come up with fascinating archive anthologies at fairly regular intervals, and Deep in the Woods is thankfully no exception to the rule.

This beautifully packaged three-CD set explores the marriage of traditional folk and interesting new psychedelic studio techniques during the late ’60s and early ’70s, drawing on contributions from a whole host of performers whose vinyl outpourings have become highly sought after collectors’ items during the past 50 years or so.

Artists such as Trees, Mellow Candle and Trader Horne all make telling contributions to the proceedings, and compiler Richard Norris has also found space for two subtly memorable extracts from the albums that singer-songwriter Bridget St John recorded for John Peel’s short lived Dandelion label in the shape of Fly High and Silver Coin.

Twink
Mr Rainbow
(Floating World)
★★★★

COLCHESTER-BORN John Charles Edward Alder is probably better known as Twink, the one time Pretty Things and Pink Fairies drummer, who was responsible for creating one of the minor masterworks of English psychedelia in the shape of 1970’s Think Pink.

Twink certainly didn’t rush to record a follow-up solo set in order to capitalise on the critical acclaim which greeted this iconic offering and Mr Rainbow didn’t actually see the light of day until 1990, when he joined forces with future Cockney Rebel guitarist Robbie Gladwell and drummer Andy Dowding to deliver a much more tightly focused celebration of the delights of old-school rock, featuring standout tracks such as Psychedelic Punkeroo and an interesting assortment of revamped gems from his former outfit’s back catalogues including Wargirl, The Snake and Baron Saturday.