Banjaxed

Banjaxed finds Ciarán Ryan stepping confidently out from the ranks of Edinburgh-based world-folk fusionistas Dallahan to deliver a masterclass in banjo playing. The young multi-instrumentalist Scotsman's solo debut also finds him showing off considerable skills on the fiddle, guitar and mandolin. But it's the banjo of the former All-Britain Banjo Champion that takes centre stage here in a largely self-penned set with a confident display of stylish virtuosity. The same eclectic edge that defines Dallahan is also apparent here, albeit in a more focused way; Ryan hones in on the Irish tradition inherited from his parents with diversions eastwards and westwards tracking the diaspora.

The title-track is a classic dance cut in waiting, Ryan's rippling, middle-European tenor banjo backed by the steady hypnotic throb of Bevan Morris’ double bass and Donald Hay's stadium anthem percussion. In an album of surprising combinations, ‘Skew-Whiff’ throws Chris Waite's whistle into the mix alongside Morris and Hay's vivid, jazz-funk backing, Toby Shippey's trumpet feeds discretely into the lilting ‘Stumble Weed’ and ‘Ode to Pecorino’, the latter piquantly spiked by Angus Lyon's Wurlitzer organ. Marked by a matchless sense of ensemble playing, throughout this bracingly contemporary celebration of the banjo Ryan stands, deservedly, as first among equals.