Various Artists
Album: The Greentrax 25th Anniversary Collection
Label: Greentrax
Tracks: 25 + 2 bonus
Website: www.greentrax.com

As the title states, this double album has been put together as a celebration of Greentrax having been in existence and releasing high quality albums of artists from North of the Border, actually it's a celebration of two labels reaching 25 years.

Back in 86 when Greentrax launched a second independent label with similar intentions launched the same year, Culburnie. Initially both labels were separate entities, but as the years progressed Culburnie became part of the Greentrax stable. Between them, the labels have been responsible for four hundred and sixty eight albums, including this one so we're not that far off another crucial point in the labels history.

I think it speaks volumes of the impact of Greentrax, that I hadn't realised that they were only twenty five years old, I had thought they went back longer than that such has been their impact both of Scottish traditional music and their desire to drive it forward with a new crop of young bands and artists bring the music of Scotland to an ever widening audience, both here and throughout Europe, Canada and the US.

Distilling those four hundred and sixty eight album down to just twenty five tracks was always going to be a difficult job and not one that Greentrax themselves could achieve, hence the two bonus tracks. It was also going to be a thankless task as regular purchasers of Greentrax albums will always have their favourites and would want some reflected here.

Therefore congratulations are in order, not just for reaching the twenty five years, but also for putting together an album that essentially captures the DNA of the label. Only a really, and I mean really, hardcore enthusiast is going to have a complete collection of Greentrax releases. So there really should be something on hear for everyone, from the lovers of traditional dance music, through the accapella singers, pipe fans and the traditional and contemporary folk fans.

There's also a potted history of both label and the artists that have been included on the release, which in many ways makes this a good starting point for someone looking to get a better understanding of the music as well as people seeking out other names to know.

There were a couple of times when I first went through the album on a blind listening that I came across songs and tunes that brought new names to my attention or subsequently became aware of an album I hadn't realised was on Greentrax. Highly recommended, happy birthday and here's to twenty five more.

Neil King