Originally Posted by Conan

Hako Yamasaki - Tsunawatari



This is an album by Japanese singer/songwriter Hako Yamasaki. Strikingly beautiful, melancholic, and not in English. This record employs some of the standard 1970s studio tricks, but for the most part, it's a true folk record featuring just the artist and her guitar.

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

Exuma by Exuma



I suppose I'll nominate Exuma's debut album, which was released in 1970. Basically, it's an early freak folk album that incorporates a somewhat African-like vibe into its music. It's rare for me to find an album and enjoy it from start to finish, and I have to say that this is one of those rare albums.

Originally Posted by Petula07

Koder Pa Snor by Valravn



I have for you some new version of folk, there exists even name for this genre - folktronic.
Valravn is band from Denmark and Faroe Islands, they combinate traditional folk instruments with electronic music. I enjoy music with non-english lyrics, it's fresh change.
Unique sound and when it comes to live concert, they create evening full of energy. Their live playing was one of the best concerts I have ever seen.
It's folk for open-minded music freaks so I love this album from start to finish.

Originally Posted by Moshe

"Nashville Skyline"- Bob Dylan


An important album in Dylans' career. Dylan had been taken over by ego till God made him have that motorcycle crash.
Dylans' oversized ego crashed at the same time. When he surfaced, he was more grounded and more real. He came back with the superb rootsy classic John Wesley Harding which featured some of his best songs
The album closed with a country love song "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" which was a prequel to "Nashville Skyline", his album of simple country songs in which his voice sounded better than ever accompanied by Nashvilles top players
The ego was gone. Here was a man making music. And it sounded good

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

Irish Heartbeat by Van Morrison and the Chieftains (1988)



After building up a huge following in their own right, the Irish folk band, The Chieftains, finally teamed up with fellow country-man Van Morrison to produce an album that should have a wide appeal.

Eight of the ten tracks are fresh and powerful reworkings of traditional songs; the lyrics do not disappoint and Van Morrison`s unique delivery will send a chill down the most jaded of spines. Add to that the full range of the Chieftains` fiddles, pipes and bodhràn, and you have an album that succeeds on many levels. You can play it loudly and be swept away by the swirling music, or play it softly and it still sounds great. There are moments of joy, nostalgia and mystery, and a heartfelt version of Carrickfergus in which VM pulls out all the stops.

VM also contributes two of his own more reflective compositions (including the title track) that fit well into the album although I consider the traditional material much stronger. Well, give the album a listen and you can decide for yourself !

Originally Posted by fazstp

Talking Timbuktu - Ali Farka Touré & Ry Cooder (1994)



This one's new to me but sounds promising.

Originally Posted by Ashbery

Mamani Keita - Gagner l'argent français (Working for French Money), 2011



Mamani Keita's 3rd solo album is another extension of her expert fusion sensibilities. On Gagner l'argent français, she mixes traditional Malian folk music with western rock, funk, and electronic styles. Each of the 10 songs has an undeniably unique personality, granted in no small part by Keita's own vocal style. While she sticks closely to the traditional west-African chanting that's common in her culture, she also augments it at times to fit the eclectic blend of sounds that she fronts on this album.

Perhaps most importantly, Gagner l'argent français is an album that celebrates diversity. I have not found an official lineup for the album, though the sheer number of instruments from different cultures that can be heard throughout is a testament to this. Though it covers a lot of ground, the heart of this music comes from Africa and is an expression of Malian culture. Fun fact: Since Mamani Keita is Malian royalty, the caste system in her country technically forbids her from making music. She is the sister of the "golden voice of Africa," Salif Keita, who broke this taboo many years ago, and she naturally followed suit. I like the think the world is better off for it.

Note: This is not an easy album to find. As far as I know, there are no full songs on youtube from this particular album (the title tracks on there begin about halfway through the song, skipping the beautiful intro to the album.) There are a few songs from her previous albums on there, but she has evolved her sound since. Of course, I would be happy to assist anyone looking for this in PMs.