Mike Harding presents an hour of the very best in folk, roots and acoustic music including news from the world of folk and the latest album releases.

This week, Mike talks to Topic Records' Tony Engle about four new compilations in the label's celebrated Voice Of The People series.

The series began in 1998 with 20 volumes of recordings of traditional singers in the UK and Ireland. Featuring nearly 500 recordings, it was heralded as the British and Irish equivalent of the Harry Smith or Alan Lomax anthologies in the United States.

Four new compilations, consisting of new recordings acquired by Topic Records and the British Library, are released this week. Tony Engle joins Mike to explain why these recordings are valuable and enjoyable to academics and music fans alike.