Inventions

Their first two albums drew from the collections of Playford's The English Dancing Master and others, bringing dances and tunes from the pages of 17th-century sheet music that entranced audiences on stage and record. Andy Cutting, Rob Harbron and Sam Sweeney – outstanding players of the melodeon, English concertina and fiddle, respectively – have changed their approach with their third studio album by penning their own tunes.
Inventions is a natural progression from their previous work, but more symmetrical and systems-like in its structures: it is more contemporary new-build than 17th-century thatched cottage, which is interestingly reflected in the cover art. Their group mind is powerful, their superb ensemble playing interweaving with lovely melodic lines. And while composition is the basis, it's the air of exploration and improvisation that gives these tunes life. It's a chamber music that crosses between folk and contemporary classical, and like another outstanding instrumental trio, Three Cane Whale, some of their tunes are inspired by places – the likes of ‘Proud Grove/Corton Ridge' and ‘Robber’s Road'. And if there's a more beautiful tune from a more prosaic source than Cutting's ‘Ricer II’ – dedicated to his potato ricer – I don't know of it.