Ross Ainslie
Album: Wide Open
Label: Great White Records
Tracks: 9
Website: http://www.rossainslie.com

Ross has quite a history and is very firmly grounded in the world of folk. He was nominated, along with Jarlath Henderson, in the "Best Duo" category in the 2014 Folk Awards, which goes along with his "Musician of the Year" nomination last year.

Ross has worked with a number of groups already including 'Treacherous Orchestra' and interestingly once you hear this work on this solo album 'Wide Open' you'll be able to hear his influences in other projects. Pipe and whistle music is one of those areas that many artists are working to modernise to fit with younger audiences and I would say that Ross is one of the fore front of this.

His tunes are fast and furious blasting energy at the listener from all angles until you want to rock where you are sat. Pipes are generally not an instrument you would first think of when looking for an instrument to bridge folk and rock but Ross has perfected his craft so well that after listening to 'Wide' Open' it will be clear. Tunes such as 'Beer - Tatter Jack Walsh/ Jig of Beer/ Reel of Beer in particular will show that pipes are capable of more than the stereotypes suggest.

Beyond these fats paced tunes there are some gentler tunes in the mix, such as 'Clans - Jutland/ Nose Fest/ Unite the Clans' that go back to the traditional sound but with the same energy and enthusiasm that the rest of the album holds.

The choice of guest instruments on tunes such as 'Again - Not Again/ Unknown/ Tune Miavaig' also adds to the air of the album and have been combined in such a way as to draw out all of the strengths of the music.

Paul Rawcliffe