Andy Votel's B-Music imprint sticks one toe into the future ("the present," to you and me) with this stunning Jane Weaver-curated compilation of female folk artists old and new. Initially, you might think as I did -- that the only reason to check this is for some dusty folk-psych gems -- but I assure you that's not the case. Yes, the throwback stuff like Wendy & Bonnie's "Paisley Window Pane(1)" and Brigitte Fontaine's "Le Goudron(2)" is beautiful, but the more you hear songs like Emma Tricca's fingerpicked "Martin & Me," Misty Dixon's beat-driven "Are You Lost(3)" and The Lights' "Branches Low(4)," the more they get ingrained in your mind. The contemporary artists here aren't trying to sound overly retro, phony or anything - this is just some great current psych/folk music. Even Mz. Weaver and B-Music already-fave Selda get in on the action with "All These Rivers(5)" and "Gesi Baglari(6)," respectively. 15 tracks, 57 minutes.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red