BLOWZABELLA - The Blowzabella Wall Of Sound (Osmosys OSMO CD005)
A very welcome release. Here we have Blowzabella at what was probably the height of their creative powers.
A rich collection of mostly traditional dance tunes given the Blowzabella treatment and still sounding as innovative now as when the album was first released.
The re-issue is made more significant in some ways following the untimely death of melodeon player Dave Roberts earlier this year - he often cited this as his favourite Blowzabella album.
Exciting and ground-breaking arrangements yet, still rooted firmly in the tradition.
An essential opportunity to update the vinyl for Blowzabella devotees and a vital introduction for those unfamiliar with what was one of the most exciting things to happen on the folk scene for years.
(Andy Hemsley)