Davis MacLeod Haines
peat moss polyrhythms and sea-sprayed sentiments. a beautiful record of from a jazz trio that is alive with myth and modernity, painted across the scottish highlands.
Favorite track: Coastline.
Paul Godfrey
What a great album. Loving the light and melodic jazz and the Scottish themes interwoven into it. First purchase in ages that I have listened to beginning to end in one go.
Favorite track: Coastline.
benkjp
Been looking forward to this since seeing Fergus play with the Manchester Collective in Oxford. It's been a long day and I've finally sat down to enjoy the album: beautiful.
Favorite track: Mountain Stream.
sandwoodman
Awesome music that sings ebbs flows thunders falls and trickles, bringing the landscape of my mind alive like a walk in the glorious mountains of Scotland on a bright Spring day. Take it with you and celebrate life.
Following the acclaimed 'Forest Floor' (shortlisted for the Mercury Prize & awarded Scottish Album of the Year in 2022) and 'Cairn', Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie reunites with his trio for 'Stream': a journey from cloudy skies to sunnier climes, weaving Scottish folklore with contemporary jazz.
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary jazz, Scottish pianist and composer Fergus McCreadie has carved a remarkable niche. Since 2021, his career has skyrocketed, marked by two acclaimed album releases that propelled him into the limelight – shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and clinching the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) for “Forest Floor.” His debut with Edition Records, “Cairn” (2021), set the stage for a journey deeply rooted in natural themes. McCreadie’s latest venture, “Stream,” continues this intriguing exploration, this time delving into the essence of water. Accompanied by his long-standing comrades, David Bowden and Stephen Henderson, the album flows with the fluidity of its namesake. It’s a musical stream that flows through the rich landscapes of Scottish folklore and the sophisticated avenues of contemporary jazz, blending them seamlessly.
The album’s narrative is a testament to the trio’s evolving musical identity, meticulously crafted to mirror a journey from darkness to light. McCreadie shares, “What I like most about this album is that it evolves from dark to light as the album goes on. It’s a sort of cloudy skies to sunnier skies journey, quite different from previous albums where the track sequence was more arbitrary.” Their sound, a nuanced tapestry woven with delicate touches and bold strokes, speaks of their confidence and exuberance in forging a distinct path. “Stream” is an exploration of shared passions and expressions, pushing the boundaries of their musical language and vocabulary to new depths.
With “Stream,” Fergus McCreadie, Bowden, and Henderson offer a refreshing antidote to the predictable. Their music is a celebration of individuality, a journey that resonates with the trio’s unique voice. It’s an invitation to listeners to immerse themselves in a soundscape that’s both familiar in its Scottish roots and revolutionary in its jazz execution – a goal every artist aspires to achieve. “Stream” is a musical narrative that flows like water – sometimes calm, sometimes tempestuous, but always moving forward. For those seeking a fresh, engaging, and authentic musical journey, Fergus McCreadie’s “Stream” is a listening adventure not to be missed.
credits
released May 3, 2024
Fergus McCreadie - Piano
David Bowden - double bass
Stephen Henderson - drums
All compositions by Fergus McCreadie and arranged by the trio
This recording is a co-production with BBC Radio 3. Fergus McCreadie is a member of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme
Recorded and mixed by James McMillan at QuietMoney Studios
Mastered by Michael Scherchen at The Mix Factory
Album artwork by Oli Bentley, Split
Photos by Angus McDonald
Special thanks to www.EASTplugged.de for the support
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary jazz, Scottish pianist and composer Fergus McCreadie has carved a remarkable niche.
Since 2021, his career has skyrocketed – shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and clinching the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) for “Forest Floor." McCreadie’s latest venture, “Stream,” continues this intriguing exploration, this time delving into the essence of water....more
I normally only listen to electronic music, but after listening to this album months ago I found it kept calling out to me. Now after purchasing it I can see why. I am totally addicted to its beauty and harmony. Thank you so much for the wax version, as it is the only form of music I collect. kaosskid