The latest releases reviewed.

SIMON MAYOR AND THE MANDILONQUENTS Dance of the Comedians Acoustics Records ***

The Mandolinquents are hell-bent on rehabilitating errant aficionados of the mandolin - with just a tincture of tongue in cheek in its sprightly repertoire. As renaissance man Simon Mayor leads his quartet a merry dance on this live recording, he uncovers the gorgeous fragility

of an instrument that's long been used to bolster all manner of other instruments. Hilary James's vocals and mandobass infuse the collection with refreshing reflection, particularly on Song for India. Elsewhere there's serious musicianship at play, even if the playfulness rubs a little thin on repeated exposures. Still, this is truly uncategorisable: a bracing alternative to boxed-in listening. SIOBHÁN LONG

Download track: Lullaby

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