SUDAN ARCHIVES Vinyl & CDs

Review: Brittney Denise Parks aka Sudan Archives has released some of the most fascinating music of the last couple of years. What makes it so unique is Parks' voice, which tumbles down to melancholic depths or soars to uplifting highs. On this new album, though, she makes more of her own virtuoso violin playing, stretching the sounds in all manner of wonderful directions, couching her voice in lush sonic layers. There is an orchestral, chamber music feel to this most grandiose of works, and it is one that feels rich, poignant and moving from start to finish. Smart, inventive, but soulful, it might be one of the albums of the year.