[Karellen]

Hello @Plutoschaf

I am slowly upgrading my music library to become compatible with v18. Fortunately I am using Windows, so that allows me to install multiple versions of Kodi using Portable Mode. So this is what I have done...

1. First I exported my Music Library to Separate Files using the Export function in v17.6 ... https://kodi.wiki/view/Import-export_library
   
2. Installed v18 and scanned and scraped the Music Library which allowed me to get as much available metadata as possible. This is the same music files being used by v17
   
3. I then set the directory where my Artist Information folder was to be saved. Keep this separate from your song files. See the first image below (my music files are in f:\Music\FLAC)
   
4. I then ran the Export Music Library function and set it up as shown in the next image. This will create the Artist folders for you. So that will save you a bit of work. And if the artist has additional information in v17, then it will be exported here into NFO Files. See the second image below
   
5. Now it will be easier to fill in the gaps in Artist information and artwork. (which was not available to do in v17 and earlier)
   

Notes:
1. It is best if you let Kodi create the Artist Information Folders so the names are correct. There is always a risk of bad naming, such as Beach Boys and The Beach Boys

to build up an Artist Information Folder containing one folder per artist each containing the artist nfo file as well as any artist thumbs, fanarts etc. instead of saving them alongside the actual music

Yes

use the accepted file naming conventions mentioned in your tables from https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=331822

Yes. The table is still a work in progress, but those in the Accepted column are safe to use

kepp album artwork within the respective album folder containing the actual music

Yes

I wonder how do I stay compatible to Kodi 17 if I build up that Artist Information Folder do I need to keep the same files alongside the music until updated to a stable Kodi 18 release?

The Artist Information Folder is separate to the Music files, so it won't interfere at all with v17.

As for the Album folders, nothing should change, except maybe cdArt which is renamed to Discart (yet to be confirmed). So it should all be pretty safe to keep side by side. The NFO's don't change either.

Hope that helps. I am sure if I got something wrong, others will point it out to you.