When Nonesuch Records celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, with festivals at London’s Barbican Centre and New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Kronos Quartet joined forces with four labelmates—Sam Amidon, Olivia Chaney, Rhiannon Giddens and Natalie Merchant—to perform a concert entitled ‘Folk Songs’. The group later recorded the songs, most of which are traditional with contemporary arrangements, with Doug Petty as the album’s producer. For 40 Years, Kronos Quartet have been one of the most revered and influential artists of their time. They have performed live with the likes of Paul McCartney, Tom Waits and David Bowie, and has appeared on recordings by such diverse talents as Nine Inch Nails and DJ Spooky. • The release follows Rhiannon Giddens acclaimed new album ‘Freedom Ride’ and her astounding appearances around Bluesfest here in Australia in April. It anticipates Natalie Merchant’s new solo-career encompassing 10 CD box ‘The Natalie Merchant Collection‘ (which is out June 23 and which features a disc of new recordings and a disc of previously unreleased archival material), and a new album featuring British folk artist Olivia Chaney, who has teamed up with The Decemberists to record under the name Offa Rex. Offa Rex’s stunning debut album is called ‘The Queen of Hearts’ and is out July 7.