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Roots CDs: Skilda - 13 Dreams (Survival) twostars
Wild Biscuit - The Distance (Wild Biscuit Music) fourstars... Staking a fresh claim on the same cross-genre territory, however, are Highland duo Wild Biscuit, comprising ex-Capercaillie bassist John Saich and his partner Mags Russell.
The Distance also introduces the vividly soulful, sophisticated vocals of 19-year-old Jacqui Kerr - a name to watch - while Travis drummer Neil Primrose features too. It's much more of a pop than a folk product, complete with radio-friendly production, strong hooklines and sharp dance grooves. However, the material is alive and bustles with the inter play of different ideas, influences, and stylistic flourishes, among them the occasional salvo of bagpipes and a traditional Gaelic chorus. It also includes plenty of rock guitar licks, splashes of brass, evocative samples, retro keyboard and happy house romps. Although distinct in effect, this confident diversity of sources, together with the album's sure-handed originality in combining them, is reminiscent of Oi Va Voi's recent debut Laughter Through Tears - and that's recommendation indeed.
Sue Wilson Sunday Herald - Review Magazine
Wild Biscuit are the writing and production team of ex-capercaillie bassist John Saich and Mags Russell who, with this twelve track CD album, have introduced the varied vocal talents of 19 year ol Jaqueline Kerr. Recorded in Argyll, the album immediately pricks up the ears with the opener, Sugar Coated 1x1, with its expert production mixing layered vocals, trumpet traces and backward effects. Cut two meanwhile, Dusty Highway, highlights that the pair are perfectly capable of calling upon a wide palette of sounds, as eerie howling gives way to a Chris Rea style lead and Madonna style singing circa Ray of Light. Fans of Kate Bush, especially those who worship Hounds of Love, will appreciate the title track, and Ladies in Black regales the listener with spoken samples in a manner initiated by Big Audio Dynamite amongst others, before the melody itself draws your attention to the lead vocal which dances on an ethereal Cocteau Twins style.
Stand out track is Orion sky, which would make a perfect summer chilled out dance hit with its interesting juxtaposition of harp and contemporary dance rhythms. As current produces move on from spicing their efforts with influences from the early '80's synth era, perhaps we will see a return to the smooth eclectic sounds typified by Wild Biscuit and the door will open for their Celtic soundscapes to have a commercial impact. Recommended!!
Musicians Union Magazine
Travis drummer Neil Primrose, is celebrating his recovery for snapping his spine with the release of a solo album. Neil, 31 suffered the horror accident after diving into a swimming pool in France in 2002. Now he has recorded an album with Wild Biscuit which showcases Celtic musicians in the Lochgilphead area. Neil said "it is an album of quality and depth. It is a mixed and very tasty recipe!
Daily Record
The Distance is a new album release from Argyll's song writing team and record label Wild Biscuit. With twelve original tracks, writers John Saich and Mags Russell have created an eclectic and vibrant style, mixing contemporary soundscapes with retro guitar and Celtic spirit.
John is best known for his career as a bass player and guitarist with Capercaillie. The distance represents a departure from the traditional into a more diversely inspired style, but the unmistable bass licks and liquid programming still make their mark throughout.
Featured throughout on lead vocals is Jacqui Kerr, a nineteen year old former student of Lochgilphead High School and living proof of the undiscovered talent that abounds in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The distance features several special guests, including Neil Primrose (Travis), whose soulful drumming takes the tracks into new and unexpected dimensions.
The album was recorded and mixed entirely at Wild Biscuits studio in Argyll.
Music News
Being from the same area of Scotland as John Saich I have come to know a bit about this guy and his music. He is a former member of the well known Scottish folk band "Capercaillie". He has since set up his own recording company "Wild Biscuit" and participated in numerous musical projects, as well as writing and providing music for local and national films.
For this album, John was commissioned by the "Classic Malts of Scotland" to produce a collection of musical masterpieces - one for each malt of the group - as individual, intriguing, complex, and enjoyable as the malts they represent.
Each masterpiece flows as delicately as the malts, through steadily changing themes, poetic riffs, building to a climax, but never to ebb.
When you listen to this music, you can actually imagine being in each area of malt production. The music carries you to another place be it Islay, Skye, or Oban, with their coastal aires; the Highlands, with their open breathtaking earthiness; or even into the heart of Edinburgh, with the combination of traditions and modernity, the lone piper playing with the sounds of the motorways distant. You don't just listen to this album, you feel it, and if you want - You live it.
This is an album to be enjoyed at it's best accompanying a good malt, after all - this is how it was written.
Enjoy a dram, sit back, close your eyes, and listen to the gentle waves of musical pleasure wash around the room, forget all daily stresses. Just pure relaxation.
This is no ordinary musical album…….. It's an Experience.
Where a revival standard meets the dance floor and makes something extremely tasty. Wild Biscuit seems to be a way of doing things and a vehicle for musicians of different shades to indulge themselves. The results here are as hard edged as any rhythm team yet meld the technological and traditional in a satisfactory balance"
Simon Jones, Folk Roots (Froots)