Shooglenifty - The Untied Knot (2015)

This is Shooglenifty's seventh studio album. The breathtaking 'puirt a beul' (mouth music) of Gaelic vocalist Kaela Rowan brings a captivating and energising new element to the band's sound, and further confounds any attempt to categorise them. The Untied Knot continues the Shoogles's worldwide influences, this time hitting the road from Mallaig in Scotland to Marwar in Rajasthan. Watch out for James Mackintosh and Kaela Rowan's The High To Jodhpur, a tune that makes that connection explicit, whilst the political machinations of the past year give 'closer to home' substance to the title track by Quee MacArthur. Luke Plumb's fresh compositions – the psychodelic Arms of Sleep and The Highway Carpark, a 'hurry up and wait' classic – are included, whilst new mandolinist Ewan MacPherson makes his mark with three tunes. MacPherson's two four march, Someone's Welcome To Somewhere, adds fresh spice in the shape of piper, Ross Ainslie. Ewan also contributes. The Devils Breath Hornpipe, and rocking pair of reels clearly spawned by the Shoogle dance gene, Samhla/Scolpaig. A dazzling contribution by Garry 'Banjax' Finlayson, The Scorpian (sic) is a fascinating and enigmatic creature, whilst Fitzroy's Crossing, the striking Antipodean closing track by Shoogle Fiddler Angus R Grant, leaves you in no doubt that there is no musical journey this band can't take.

TRACKLIST

01. The Untied Knot/The Fall/Mile Marbhaisg Air A' Ghaol (5:53)
02. The Scorpian/The Devil's Breath Hornpipe (4:17)
03. Samhla Reel/Scolpaig (6:15)
04. Somebody's Welcome to Somewhere (6:16)
05. Do Chrochadh a Thoill Thu, Thoill Thu/Nighean Rudh' Bhan Bh'aig Domhnall Ruadh Piobair/The Spice of Life (4:50)
06. The Highway Carpark (4:06)
07. Peaches/Monkswell Road/Meal Do Bhrogan (5:08)
08. The High Road to Jodhpur/Am Bothan a Bh'aig Fionnghuala (3:45)
09. The Arms of Sleep (5:33)
10. Ruidhleadh Mo Nighean Donn/Am Buachaille Dubh Fionnghal (4:54)
11. Fitzroy Crossing (6:05)