David Nixon

It’s August now and this slice of genius from West Kirby’s Bill Ryder-Jones, lechyd da, was released back in January 2024 and remains the best album of the year by some distance despite strong competition from Robert Vincent and Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band and Luke Combs. Sublime, gentle, orchestral and lush. Sometimes, no, often, fragile, this album has been thought through beginning to end. Every note and every word has been thought through. The use of Bidston Avenue School Choir conducted by Amy Chalmers who provides the violin and with jazz trumpeter Martin Smith amongst the assembled, top notch musicians deliver the beautiful melody’s and hooks. Some tracks echo a feel of Radiohead and there is a definite cross-pollination with Michael Head’s recent output having both been recorded at Ryder-Jones’ own studio in West Kirby and both produced by Ryder-Jones. These are observations rather than any criticism. This for me is the best album of the year no question. David Nixon - No Moon At All Music