Lavinia Blackwall dives deep into the folk-rock past with the title track of her second solo album since leaving Trembling Bells.

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My last playlist of the year spans more than half a century, starting in the early 1960s with Sandra Barry and taking in tributes to those we lost in December, including Brigitte Bardot, Joe Ely, Steve Cropper and Chris Rea. In between there is folk, blues, soul, country, Eurodisco – and even a little Schumann.

Gabriella Cilmi had an instant hit at the age of 17 with Sweet About Me after moving from Melbourne to London.

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Labi Siffre was a West London boy but paid tribute to a beauty spot in Staffordshire on his song Cannock Chase.

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Ride – Black Nite Crash

27th December 2025 · 1990s, 1995, Music

Shoegaze pioneers Ride were falling apart by the time they recorded their fourth album Tarantula. But the opening tune, Black Nite Crash, was a fitting finale.

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The solemnity and sadness of Lisa O’Neill’s song is matched to a mournful melody that reminds me of a hymn – or a Christmas carol.

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RIP Chris Rea (1951-2025)

23rd December 2025 · 2020s, 2025, Blues, Music

There was much more to Chris Rea than the hit singles – a multi-talented artist whose first loves were the blues, racing cars, cinema and journalism.

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Massive Attack teamed up with Young Fathers for this creepy tune, with an even creepier video, from their Ritual Spirit EP.

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Odetta – Hit Or Miss

21st December 2025 · 1970, 1970s, Music, Soul

I’m familiar with Odetta as the voice of the Civil Rights Movement back in the ’50s and ’60s and I know Martin Luther King called her the Queen of American folk music. But I’d never heard this ’til now.

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Snap! – The Power

18th December 2025 · 1990, 1990s, Dance

It’s impossible not to love Snap!’s hybrid of hip-hop, house, soul and a dash of heavy rock. It kicked off the whole dance music scene when it topped the charts in early 1990.

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