Zero Degrees of Separation @ ABC

Zero Degrees of Separation brings together four folk groups from three continents for a night of individuality and collaboration. Beginning as a twelve man (and woman) free for all, it threatens to be a bit of a stramash, with too many instruments (cello, fiddles, electric guitar, flute, double bass) vying for attention, and all manner of wacky percussion making for a bit of a cacophony at times, possibly as a way of disguising the deficiencies of some of the songs. But, as bodies disappear and reappear as necessary, each act gets their chance in the spotlight.

Juana Molina takes no prisoners by singing entirely in Spanish, the little minx. And why shouldn't she, she's from Argentina. Her brand of electro-folk errs towards jazz and scat but is no less alluring for it. Vashti Bunyan is the clear draw and crowd pleaser, the '60s child enjoying a renaissance after a four decade hiatus, with her gossamer vocals entrancing on 'Just Another Diamond Day', her signature tune from her defining album. Adem rocks it up more than most, but a preponderance of bells in his arrangements raises some eyebrows, while US band Vetiver are the most straightforward in terms of songwriting and the purest in terms of just getting on the stage and singing them with the aid of a couple of guitars and a bit of drum. Not quite something for everyone then, but quite possibly everything for someone. [Paul Greenwood]