Brass Monkey - Head of Steam (2009)

This English folk supergroup is led by Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick, key members of the major folk acts of the 1960s and 1970s -- Steeleye Span, The Richard Thompson Band, The Watersons & The Albion Band. Brass Monkey's "deep English sound" -- brass and percussion arranged with acoustic folk instruments -- is totally unique, giving them an identity all their own. "Flame Of Fire" is a technical tour de force and a fantastic collection of songs and tunes, some of which go back to John Playford's "English Dancing Master" of 1651. This gives the album a crossover appeal to lovers of classical and early music without betraying it's earthy folk roots.