Well, there's plenty of variety here, from the "string quartet' arrangement of the modern classics 'Calum's Road by Donald Shaw and 'The Hut on Staffin Island' by Phil Cunningham, to some manic Irish reels which wouldn't be out of place (or recognised) at a rave in Ibiza. Yes, for the most part, this is "raise the roof" Scots/Irish instrumental music, arranged and funked up (I said funked) by the addition of a rhythmic bass and rock drumming - a very international and highly commercial product! The reel 'Sparky' is beautifully laid back as a contrast and the musicianship is excellent - there are no less than ELEVEN musicians here, but it's impossible to tell who's playing on what track. The fiddler on the Japanese fusion 'Takashi's Dawn' shows real sympathy with the clarsachist, who must be Karen Connor? Such idiosyncrasies as the deliberate discords and synthesiser distortion on some tracks may not be for all tastes, but there is much that is good here. 'Herr Roloff's Farewell' is a classic Scott Skinner air, and is treated with great respect by the fiddler, who's either Alistair McCulloch or Andrew McGarva. The album notes are otherwise adequate and easy to read and all eleven musicians are credited, but why not the motor cyclist on track on?
Jim Bainbridge
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