Every year we each make a list of our gold star albums: our favourite releases from the previous year. These are our picks for the essential albums of 2007, and would enhance any traditional music lover's collection.

See also: last year, next year and gold star releases from other years.

Gordon's Gold Star Releases for 2007 Artist Album Label Beoga Mischief Compass Jim Causley Lost love found Wildgoose Les charbonniers de l'enfer À la grâce de Dieu La Tribu Jeff Davis Some fabulous yonder Self Kris Drever Black Water Reveal Doug Eunson Sarah Matthews On shining wings Coth Julie Fowlis Cuilidh Shoeshine Bella Hardy Night Visiting Noe Oisín McAuley Far from the hills of Donegal Compass Alison McMorland Geordie McIntyre White Wings Greentrax Also outstanding: La part du quêteux, Matt Pepin, John Roberts, Martin Simpson, Danny Spooner, Le vent du nord, The imagined village.

Colin's Gold Star Releases for 2007 Artist Album Label Beoga Mischief Compass Cara In between times Self Julie Fowlis Cuilidh Shoeshine John Kirkpatrick Make no bones Fledg'ling Oisín McAuley Far from the hills of Donegal Compass La part du quêteux Paye la traite Roues et Archets Matt Pepin Pass it down Self Jaime RT w/ Andy Hillhouse Spark Dog my cat June Tabor Apples Topic Jenny M. Thomas Farewell to old England forever Black Market Also outstanding: Michael Black, Doggerland, Lauren MacColl, Peatbog Faeries, Martin Simpson.