Calum Ingram
Album: Making It Possible
Label: Wood'n Heart
Tracks: 8
Website: http://www.calumingram.com

The cello isn't normally considered to be a blues instrument, but then there's not many cellists like Paisley born, New York based Calum Ingram. Like the automatic machine pistol he shares part of his name with, he's capable of making a real impact, but he doesn't always land the whole of a song on the mark and that occasionally brings in a casualty.

It will come as no surprise to discover that his early training came from the classical world, before taking on a more jazz influence, even enrolling in the New School For Jazz And Contemporary Music in New York, an event that seems to have proved a real catalyst for his musical awakening.

"Making It Possible" is an album of innovation and exploration. It's not an album that immediately opens up to you and like many albums that sit at the edge it doesn't always work. At just eight songs and 33 minutes, it's not the longest album you're going to hear either, but it does feel more substantial than that and ultimately I found it to be a very fulfilling album.

Calum Ingram does challenge your perceptions on where the cello's place is within music, but doesn't push the envelope to the point where all but the cello community lose track of where he's taking things, that said I'm sure there are quite a few musicians that are capable of appreciating this album than me, at least from a technical point of view.

It doesn't always work, there are points where it all becomes a little too discordant, a little too distracted as it goes off on a flight of fantasy as he gives way to the more jazz tendencies, "Chop" being an example that springs to mind.

I do have a fear that in this world of instant gratification, "Making It Possible" may not be able to find the audience it should do, but hopefully the rule of good things coming to those that wait may apply, because having pretty much dismissed this on the first play, I'm really pleased I came back to it.

Neil King