FERGUS McCREADIE - Cairn
Edition Records
Fergus McCreadie - piano; David Bowden - bass; Stephen Henderson - drums
Fergus McCreadie’s debut album ‘Turas’ made waves on the scene with its decidedly Scottish take on the European chamber-jazz tradition, taking the impressionistic Nordic approach of Esbjorn Svensson as a foundational document but mixing in a healthy dose of modal Celtic cadences to create a distinctly original sound that won over audiences as well as delivering a clutch of awards. He’s back with the same trio for an assured follow-up that blends the same elements with a even greater degree of assurance. There’s a relaxed confidence to the way he interpolates space into the dazzling streams of notes in his solo on the title track that indicates an artist in full control of his talents: Bowden and Henderson now sound utterly, intuitively attuned to the leader’s every move and respond dynamically and creatively thoughout to follow the contours. Bowden’s bass solo on ‘North’ is equally confident and creative with a real original turn of phrase and a beautiful tone: Henderson is subtle and supportive, exploring a range of textural possibilities on ‘Across Flatlands’, and is equally capable of delivering the necessary fireworks when required. It’s a reviewer’s cliché to say that this kind of music describes a landscape, and when the artist is Scottish the temptation to evoke rolling moorland, purple heather and majestic lochs is very hard to resist: but in this case the comparison is so accurate that its justified. ‘Jig’ continues the conscious incorporation of Celtic elements but this is only part of the picture and McCreadie and co’s sophisticated and utterly modern rhythmic, harmonic and textural inventiveness provide the necessary context to make the fusion completely convincing - ‘Jig’’s unexpected development into a powerhouse loping almost-swing modal workout that pulls in sources as diverse as Corea and Meldhau is a case in point. This is no sentimental pastiche. Excellent.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
Edition Records
Fergus McCreadie - piano; David Bowden - bass; Stephen Henderson - drums
Fergus McCreadie’s debut album ‘Turas’ made waves on the scene with its decidedly Scottish take on the European chamber-jazz tradition, taking the impressionistic Nordic approach of Esbjorn Svensson as a foundational document but mixing in a healthy dose of modal Celtic cadences to create a distinctly original sound that won over audiences as well as delivering a clutch of awards. He’s back with the same trio for an assured follow-up that blends the same elements with a even greater degree of assurance. There’s a relaxed confidence to the way he interpolates space into the dazzling streams of notes in his solo on the title track that indicates an artist in full control of his talents: Bowden and Henderson now sound utterly, intuitively attuned to the leader’s every move and respond dynamically and creatively thoughout to follow the contours. Bowden’s bass solo on ‘North’ is equally confident and creative with a real original turn of phrase and a beautiful tone: Henderson is subtle and supportive, exploring a range of textural possibilities on ‘Across Flatlands’, and is equally capable of delivering the necessary fireworks when required. It’s a reviewer’s cliché to say that this kind of music describes a landscape, and when the artist is Scottish the temptation to evoke rolling moorland, purple heather and majestic lochs is very hard to resist: but in this case the comparison is so accurate that its justified. ‘Jig’ continues the conscious incorporation of Celtic elements but this is only part of the picture and McCreadie and co’s sophisticated and utterly modern rhythmic, harmonic and textural inventiveness provide the necessary context to make the fusion completely convincing - ‘Jig’’s unexpected development into a powerhouse loping almost-swing modal workout that pulls in sources as diverse as Corea and Meldhau is a case in point. This is no sentimental pastiche. Excellent.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
