Acid Croft Vol 9

For 30 years Shooglenifty have been rocking, shaking and Shoogling the Scots trad music scene. Acid Croft Vol 9 marks this special anniversary, but while reflection is natural, the band make sure this is also a time to party. ‘Black Dog’ is a particular highlight: a pulsing, sweltering rhythm with a fine dance beat. Strathspey ‘Air Chuairt’ welcomes vocals by Kaela Rowan, while the memorial ‘Hunting for Angus’ opens with words from poet of Balquihidder, Magi McGlynn. ‘Squat Lobster’ and ‘Brutus’ get the sweat going again with a fever of drums and fiddle.

New recruit Eilidh Shaw on fiddle fills the much missed space of the mighty Angus R Grant, and he would be chuffed at such a substitute. Grant is still there in spirit though. ‘Trams’, a tune he was working on before his untimely death, is given a sweet inclusion as part of the closing track. The band’s energy, passion and sheer joy is infectious. Filled with the familiar electric grooves and frenzied beats of Scotland’s self-proclaimed Acid Croft band, if this doesn’t rock your ceilidh then I don’t know what will. It’s great to have the guys back.