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 2008, and would enhance any traditional music lover's collection.

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

Colin's Gold Star Releases for 2008 Artist Album Label Belshazzar's Feast The food of love Wildgoose Box club Box Club Self Breabach The big spree Compass Jack Crawford Pride of the season Wildgoose Crowfoot Footpath Lunar Canoe Genticorum La Bibournoise Roues et Archets Dick Hensold Big music for Northumbrian Smallpipes 10,000 Lakes Kerr Fagan Harbron Station House Fellside Lau Live Compass The long notes The long notes Self Also outstanding: Sarah Burnell, Cook/MacGillivray, Martin/Shan Graebe, Rubus, Vishtèn.

Gordon's Gold Star Releases for 2008 Artist Album Label Crucible Love & Money Fellside Mark Dunlop Islands on the moon Greentrax Faustus Faustus Navigator Genticorum La Bibournoise Roues et Archets Kerr Fagan Harbron Station House Fellside Jeana Leslie Siobhan Miller In a bleeze Greentrax Jim Moray Low culture NIAG Mosaik Changing trains Self Jackie Oates The violet hour Chudleigh Roots Spiers and Boden Vagabond Navigator Also outstanding: Karen Casey, Cook/MacGillivray, Mawkin:Causley, Pierre Schryer, De Temps Antan, Peggy Seeger, Gordon Duncan (tribute).