Carolina Chocolate Drops: Leaving Eden – review

The young southern string band follow 2010's Grammy-winning Genuine Negro Jig with an equally appealing grab-bag of antique country, blues, jug band hits and gospel hollers, all given an agreeably downhome production by veteran Buddy Miller. There's a touch of cello on the melancholic title cut, but clacking bones, clucking banjo and sawing fiddle remain their forte, topped with the forceful vocals of classically trained Rhiannon Giddens. She channels Ethel Waters on the 1925 hit "No Man's Mama", growls scarily on "Ruby Are You Mad at Your Man" and goes a cappella and stately on "Pretty Bird". Still the most electrifying acoustic act around, then.