Colin Steele - Stramas (2009)

The launch of Colin Steele's 'Stramash' is exciting not just for the jazz world, or even those who love folk music, but simply for those that love music. Don't think for a second that this is some form of fusion, a cobbling together of different idioms or a re-working of traditional tunes. This is an entirely organic collection of highly original, accessible music.

Is this jazz? Well, if jazz is fresh, creative, improvised music, then yes it is. Is this folk? If that's a swirling reel that has everyone tapping their toes, and emotional laments that wil have you wiping the tears from your eyes, then yes. But one could easily argue that it is modern classical, with the sweeping, soaring string quartet at it's heart. The truth is it's all of these things, and much more besides - a richly coloured tapestry of mood, depth, style, originality and creative joy.

Review
Scottish trumpeter Steele has blended jazz and folk before, but this unorthodox dectet is his most ambitious project yet... catchy, joyful, intricately-textured tunes that satisfy both head and heart. -- Phil Johnson, Independent On Sunday, 19/07/09

Steele has come up with an earthy series of compositions, rich in evocative motifs and intoxicating ceilidh rhythms...One of the best home-grown releases this year - ****
-- Sunday Times, 12/07/09

The dizzily soaring strings come straight from a ceilidh - but as soon as the piano, drums and horns take up a chorus you are transferred into jazz country. When the two parts join up the synergy is nothing short of exhilarating - ****
-- BBC Music Magazine, August 2009.

The fiddles, pipes and whistles of traditional folk team up with the saxophone, trumpet and drums of jazz to joyous effect - ****
-- The Times, 01/08/09

Colin Steele - trumpet
Phil Bancroft - tenor/soprano saxophones
Dave Milligan - piano
Aidan O'Rourke - fiddle
Catriona Macdonald - fiddle
Mairi Campbell - viola
Su-a Lee - cello
Rory Campbell - pipes & whistle
Aidan O' Donnell - double bass
Stu Ritchie – drums