Dr Mango And The Chickpeas
EP: Dr Mango And The Chickpeas EPea
Label: Self released
Tracks: 5
Website: www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Mango-the-Chickpeas

If ever there was proof required that you shouldn't judge a book/cd by it's cover or judge a band by their name. Think of the name Dr Mango & The Chickpeas, now look at the cover to their debut EP and tell me what you're actually thinking about is a traditionally inspired five piece, thought not.

Traditional musicians, particularly those of the Celtic variety have long since given their contemporary instrumental tunes silly names, something that looks like it's starting to move to bands as well. If it's a device to give this new generation of musicians a distinction from those that have gone before it, why not, it certainly made me think.

The five piece, Jen Austin, Robyn Gray, Kirsten MacLeod, Marissa Vachon and Chris Waite, though Glasgow based come from all over Scotland and, in Marissa's case, Canada and all bring their own influences to the combo giving them a really contemporary feel on a traditional base.

The EP starts with an impressive rendition of Ewan MacColl's "North Sea Holes" and ends with a distinctive interpretation of the much recorded traditional song "Three Ravens". Between those two points are two sets of tunes penned from within the band, "Andy Cout's/Polkface" from Jen Austin and Robyn Gray" and "Colin's Trip To St Malo/Murdo And The Creel" from Kirsten MacLeod, with traditional French song "Le Viemy Chaval" making up the numbers on this five tracker.

The musicianship on "Dr Mango & The Chickpeas Epea" is of a high quality. When Gray's resonate vocal tones are added over the top of playing of this quality, it produces songs that really stand out and linger in the mind. There are just so many textures and sounds here you'll be finding something fresh over many a listen. Fingers crossed an album isn't too far away.

Neil King