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Four dance tracks, two atmospheric pieces, and one in-between : “Oak and Ash” is a re-imagining of traditional melodies from the British Islands, quickened by energetic framedrum and tamborine rhythms, and alchemized with elements of electronic trance and ethereal atmospheres.

Opening with a bass-heavy and tribalistic take on a Scottish melody (“Strathspey Drummers”) the album has four tracks aimed at the contemporary eclectic dancefloor, including the midtempo groove of “Flitter Dance”, the pulsing and trance-like “Morning Dew”, and rollicking “Paddy on The Erie”.
A slowly-swaying and languorous version of “Apples in Winter” brings the album into the downtempo realm, and following this, there are two atmospheric tracks, the dark and Renaissance-styled “Oak and Ash”, and the tranquil low whistle of “Island Air”

Available exclusively on Bandcamp, there are five alternate mixes , all of which strip away the electronic beats to bring forward the more subtle organic and ambient dimensions of the music. There are mostly-acoustic, framedrum-driven versions of “Strathspey Drummers”, “Apples in Winter” and “Flitter Dance”, plus drumless meditative mixes of “Morning Dew” and “Island Air”

About the cover image:

A wreath of seven autumn leaves; 3 of oak and 4 of ash - two trees which are rich in associations and symbolism in northern traditions.

Oak, the sacred Druid’s tree in Celtic lore, associated with Thunor (Thor) the thunder god in Germanic traditions, and everywhere a symbol of great power and strength. Its wood could furnish the central beams of buildings or ships.

The ash is connected with Woden; its hard (yet somewhat flexible) wood was the first choice for spears, and the the Old English Rune Poem says of Ash that it stands firm, “although it fights against many men”

The two trees have many complementary meanings, yet share the common element of strength, resilience and perseverance against adversity.

At the center is a magpie, a bird of omen and prophecy.

The symbol above the magpie’s beak is a combination (bindrune) of four staves; at the top and bottom are “Ac” and “Aesc”, the old English runes meaning oak and ash, and the lines projecting out of the left and right sides of the central vertical are the Irish Ogham characters “Duir” and “Nin”, again meaning oak and ash.

Scott Sterling weaves a web of percussive rhythm, melody, and line. Framedrums, tambourines, and low whistles mingle with bass beats and ethereal atmospheres, bringing the Celtic and British Islands traditional music into vital contemporary expression.

1. drumspyder.com