Reviews

Artist: Shooglenifty
Album: Murmichan
Label: Shoogle
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.shoogle.com

To experience the Shoogles for the first time (particularly on the strength of this recording) you’d think you’ve encountered a punch drunk bunch of hippies (ok, maybe not quite PC but hopefully you get my drift) tripping out on drugs unleashing their musical meanderings to an ever-startled audience.

But then again if you’re just into letting your hair down and grooving away at an end of evening ‘folk’ festival transfixed like a rabbit in the glare of bright lights then this is certainly the band for you. Throwing the listener this way and that with inventive key changes and grooves was never a problem for this talented crew and Malcolm Crosbie (guitars), Garry Finlayson (banjo & vocals), Angus R Grant (fiddle), Quee MacArthur (bass, percussion & vocals), James MacKintosh (drums) and Luke Plumb (mandolin & bouzouki) certainly know how to shake loose any inhibitions.

This is the kind of album that you need to be prepared to let yourself go with the flow and succumb to the contented, chilled-out ambience propelling the band’s intoxicating musical excursions by allowing it to seep into your inner consciousness much like a relaxing and, at times dramatic aromatherapy session. If I didn’t know better I’d say they’ve all been under the hypnotic gaze of Paul McKenna and this album is the scintillating end product. As soon as I click my fingers…

Peter Fyfe

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