German ‘Pagan Folk’ group Faun have released a new acoustic album called Buch der Balladen. The CD contains 11 songs inspired by tales of trolls and elves, dragons and nymphs, including a version of La Belle Dame Sans Merci. It comes in a sumptuous digipak that has been designed to look like an old book. There are 44 pages of artwork and the lyrics in both German and English, and a wonderful John Bauer illustration on the cover.

Robin Crutchfield’s newest album The Hidden Folk is dreamlike and otherworldly – music so underground it can only come from the Hollow Hills. Created in a ‘miner’ key with harp and drone, the 19 tracks have wonderfully evocative song titles like The Hollow Oak My Humble Home, Pearl Sorting Pixies and Trolling The Tin Mines. Please do not think this is twee ‘New Age’ music however! Although every track is infused with whimsy, listening to The Hidden Folk sends shivers up your spine – in the best possible way! It is an album for twilight times and witching hours. Absolutely enticing, enchanting and entrancing…

Prikosnovenie present Berceuses des Fées, a new CD compilation featuring some of their best artists. The 14 tracks are dreamy acoustic lullabies inspired by the legends of each artist’s country, which include (Moldavia, Russia, Denmark, Italy and Greece. The CD is accompanied by a 36 page story book illustrated with the beautiful artwork of Sabine Adélaïde

French label Prikosnovenie have just released Fairy World V, the latest in their heavenly samplers of ethereal world music. The CD comes gorgeously packaged with an 8 page booklet, featuring illustrations by Sabine Adélaide based on the 4 elements. There are 14 tracks on the CD from Prikosnovenian acts including Caprice, Irfan, Stellamara, Maple Bee and more. There is also a limited edition collector’s pack available which comes with an exclusive DVD of Prikosnovenie’s La Nuit des Fees 2008 festival.

Australian artist Kirstin Mills presents Fairy Inspirations, an original collection of meditation CDs inspired by beautiful fantasy art by well-known fantasy artists. Composer Ashley Morse has created a 60 minute musical track for each painting, which is designed to seamlessly loop to promote a restful, relaxing atmosphere. The first in the series are Titania’s Flight (artwork by Judy Mastrangelo) and Above the Canopy (one of Kirsten’s own paintings). Each CD comes with a booklet featuring the inspirational artwork and containing an artist biography and special message from the artist.

Faerie World music label Prikosnovénie has recently released Messages des Fées, the second installment of their Faerie inspired La Nuit des Fées compilations. The CD features 13 previously unreleased tracks from some of their most popular artists, including Caprice, Ashram, Daemonia Nymphe, Rajna and Poussieres d’etoiles, on the theme of Faeries, Elves, Nymphs and Magi, composed especially for the collection. The CD comes beautifully packaged with a 72 page illustrated book. The book contains 32 tales in which each fairy character invites the reader to meditate upon an aspect of life, nature, and love.

Wendy Rule’s two performances wowed audiences at this summer’s 3 Wishes Faery Fest. With her powerful voice and compelling lyrics, Wendy’s music whisks you off to Otherworlds both shadow and light as she weaves ritual and witchy spirituality into the mix. There are five full length albums available, plus a mediation CD and a collaboration with Gary Stadler entitled Deep Within A Faerie Forest.

Ataraxia are a small group of Italian artists whose musical explorations encompass many eras and mythologies, dreams and ideas. They create timeless compositions yet mix contemporary and traditional in a way which defies categorisation. Ataraxia have been performing since the early 1990’s and have released a great deal of material over that time, much of which would appeal to fans of ethereal and faerie-inspired music.

French Faerie music label Prikosnovenie have just released Fairy World IV, the latest in their series of enchanting compilations. The CD comes beautifully packaged with a book and features 17 tracks (13 previously unreleased) from the label’s favourite artists. Bands include Caprice, Louisa John Krol, Irfan and Collection D’arnell Andrea.

The Devonshire based performance troupe Daughters of Elvin bring the spirit of Medieval Europe to life with authentically recreated music and masked dancers. The evocative masks, created by founder member Katy Marchant and Wendy Froud, include creatures straight from the pages of a medieval bestiary, such as the Unicorn, Woodwose, Devil and Dragon. Their latest CD Galbrbok is a collection of 12th to 15th Century European love songs placed on gothic harp, bass viol, hurdy gurdy, dulcimer, bagpipes, recorders and percussion with the beautiful voices of Jennie Cassidy and Sophie Brumfitt. Daughters of Elvin will once again be performing at this summer’s 3 Wishes Faery Fest in Cornwall.