Road to the North

Graham Mackenzie (fiddle), David Shedden (pipes/whistle), and Innes White (guitar/mandolin) have performed together as a trio for some years, but Road to the North is the boys' debut album. Taking their name from the sparsely populated area of Sutherland, on Scotland's north-west coast, and consisting of self-penned tunes inspired by their Highland and Gaelic heritage, this is an exciting, invigorating and inspiring release.

Opener ‘Friend and the Hound’ is a pacey set of pipe tunes while the title-track ‘Road to the North’ makes fine use of Mackenzie's fiddle. Most of the ten tracks are quite feisty, with lots of fiery fiddles and pipes, but there are moments for tender refrain too. ‘Forward Thinking’ is a sweet little set of tunes by Shedden while ‘Ava May’ is an atmospheric track. The album's closer, ‘Harris Dance’, is a nifty set of traditional tunes that highlight the trio's respect for the past.

Although steeped in tradition, there is also a freshness and vibrancy here that suggests the boys aren't shackled by the past. Road to the North is beautifully produced and performed with some very accomplished musicianship; Assynt are one to watch.