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Joe Robson: Home

By Neil Duggan
January 12, 2025
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Many artists draw inspiration from their homeland's folk traditions, which are often reflected in their compositions and playing style. This fusion is particularly evident in Scottish jazz, where prominent performers like

Fergus McCreadie

piano
b.1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Fergus McCreadie,

Norman Willmore

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Norman Willmore and

Stephen Henderson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Stephen Henderson incorporate strong folk elements. Guitarist

Joe Robson

guitar
b.1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Robson advances this blend in his ambitious project Home, achieving a complete marriage of both genres across his ten compositions that make up the album.

Supporting his vision are several similarly inspired Scottish musicians. Tenor saxophonist

Matt Carmichael

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Carmichael—who offered up his album Marram (Edition Records, 2022), reviewed here, and bassist Ali Watson, with his album Terrarium (Self Produced, 2024), reviewed here, both incorporate folk music into their compositions. They are joined by alto saxophonist

Adam Jackson (UK)

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Jackson (UK) and fiddle player

Charlie Stewart

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Stewart. Pianist

Harris Playfair

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Harris Playfair. Drummer

Stu Brown

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Stu Brown performs on five tracks, while pianist

Dan Brown (UK)

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Brown (UK) and drummer

Doug Hough-Stewart

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Doug Hough-Stewart play on the other five. Guest musicians include prominent Irish alto saxophonist

Michael Thomas Murray

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Thomas Murray and internationally acclaimed British Canadian tenor saxophonist

Seamus Blake

saxophone
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Seamus Blake, whose extensive experience on over 70 albums makes him an ideal bridge between the two genres.

Fiddle player Stewart studied jazz bass and toured with Celtic-music pioneers Capercaillie. His genre-shifting talent shines immediately on "Emergence," where Blake and Jackson take the lead before fiddle, guitar and saxophones unite in this powerful opening track. Robson's compositions often incorporate rock influences, particularly in "Clear the Decks," which begins with electric guitar and seamlessly blends with fiddle and saxophones. The more jazz-driven "Brotherhood" features a sparkling bass introduction by Watson followed by compelling saxophone passages before transitioning sharply in tempo and direction, showcasing melodic guitar lines and Hough-Stewart's dynamic drumming.

"Venchen" is one of the standout tracks; Playfair's piano flows alongside Carmichael's sax before the band moves into full folk-rock territory as Stewart's fiddle flies. Blake's classy sax playing returns for "Seven Sisters," combining elegantly with inventive guitar phrases. Alongside Robson's rock riffs on "Becoming," Michael Murray adds an impressive tenor sax solo before a call-and-response section with the guitarist.

Whether home is a place, a feeling, or simply where the heart is, it acts as Robson's inspiration for this album. It rises strongly to the surface in "Searching For Home," which opens with a lilting air on the fiddle before building to a folk-rock section leading to a sax improv before a slower fiddle ending. Thoughts of home also surface in the atmospheric "Heartspace" and "We Won't Leave."

Robson demonstrates masterful control in the combinations of his lead instruments and mention must be made of Watson and the two piano and drum duos who expertly navigate the differing rhythmic interplay between folk and jazz. This is particularly evident on Golden Ball, where a plaintive fiddle melody evolves through creative percussion, skillful guitar work and delicate piano passages toward an uplifting conclusion. The album radiates passion and warmth while delivering musical and emotional surprises throughout. Robson and his talented collaborators artfully blur genre boundaries, crafting them into a distinctive and rewarding musical blend.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Emergence; Clear The Decks; Brotherhood; Venchen; Seven Sisters; Searching For Home; Heartspace; Becoming; Golden Bell; We Won't Leave.

Personnel

Joe Robson

guitar

Matt Carmichael

saxophone, tenor

Seamus Blake

saxophone

Ali Watson

bass

Harris Playfair

piano

Doug Hough-Stewart

drums

Micheal Murray

saxophone, alto

Charlie Stewart

violin

Adam Jackson (UK)

saxophone

Stu Brown

drums

Dan Brown (UK)

piano

Additional Instrumentation

Seamus Blake: tenor sax (1,5); Micheal Murray: alto sax (8); Dan Brown: piano (3,5,7,8,10); Harris Playfair: piano (1,2,4,6,9); Doug Hough-Stewart: drums (3,5,7,8,10); Stu Brown: drums (1,2,4,6,9).

Album information

Title: Home | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Wilson's Castle Productions

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