Little Wings
Made It Rain
(Gnome Life)

Previously released only in cassette form, this special vinyl LP edition of songwriter Kyle Field’s latest album is being limited to a run of only 300 copies. However, for those lucky enough to grab one, the record will likely earn its keep as both collector’s item and lo-fi document of an eclectic night out in Big Sur, California (it was recorded live to cassette). Each disc is unique, with cover art hand-drawn by Field himself. Though the sound quality is muddy at times, there’s a certain charm in being able to hear the rain falling on the roof, or the gathered crowd singing along, sometimes louder than the singer. Field’s sound is likewise simple, just him accompanied by his acoustic guitar, belting out a collection of covers and solo material. Unfortunately, the good times end abruptly with a power outage cutting short a ramshackle version of the Beach Boys’ “Fun Fun Fun.” —Michael Cimaomo

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Clannad
The Essential Clannad
(RCA/Legacy)

Clannad (a vital note—”CLAN-nud,” not the more often-heard “Clun-NAD”) has long occupied strange territory between ’80s pop cheese and soulful Irish tradition. Even in the popular 1985 “In A Lifetime” (a duet between Bono and Clannad’s Moya Brennan), the former threatens to overwhelm the latter when sax and keyboard swirl around the well-delivered vocals like a delirious, leg-warmered dancer. It’s worth the many weird moments like that, however, to get to the more stripped-down tunes, when grand, multi-layered vocals in Irish guide the proceedings. A lot of track-skipping is likely—the real gems show up on disc 2. Clannad is, regardless of its sometimes clashing mix of styles, important: the band scored the first top-20 tune in Irish on the British charts. That tune, “Theme From Harry’s Game,” is the standout, and was also the pre-concert music in U2’s Under a Blood Red Sky film. —James Heflin

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Jamie Kent
Navigation
(independent)

The mark of the finest performers, I’ve often thought, is not how well they play to a crowded hall full of fans, but rather, what happens when they’re faced with a couple drunks and a distracted guy at the soundboard in a basement. The last time I saw Jamie Kent perform was under such conditions, and I was honestly blown away. He was riveting, attacking each song with gusto and charisma, playing with a band that was as sharp and creative as his vocals.

I enjoyed Kent’s first album, Neoteny, but his second, Navigation, is a major step forward for this young Northampton native. Whereas he once toyed around with trying on other people’s styles, he’s now found his own. The disc captures this new confidence and sense of identity beautifully. One part swing, another part funk, two parts jazz, and a whole lot of joy. —Mark Roessler