Phat Controller Productions
Home of the very best in traditional and contemporary Scottish music
CDs avaliable from Phat Controller artists
Pipedown - Roag PHATCD005
The latest signing to Phat Controller Productions, Pipedown have named their second album after our own wee studio in Roag on the Isle of Skye. Drawing on influences from Scottish and Irish traditions, together with worldwide folk and pipe music, the result has been a powerful and distinctive sound.
Here are some of the CDs recorded by our own artists
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Pipedown - The First Measure CDTRAX 124
"Apparently there are some that claim not to like the sound of pipe music. Maybes they listen to the wrong CDs? Maybes they should listen to this one?" The Living Tradition-Scotland.
This their debut CD ‘The First Measure’ was released by Greentrax in February 2002.
The Unit - Playing Giants PHATCD004
Formed in 2003 The Unit is a collaboration between Amy Geddes, Ewan MacPherson and Paul Jennings. Improvisation and group interaction are very much to the fore on this recording. Their unusual arrangements of new music, at times wild and danceable or relaxing and reflective, brings a fresh sound for head and feet.
Aidan McEoin - Rustic PHATCD001
The First relase form Phat Controller Productions and its a cracker! Unique mix of poetry and traditional contemporary music. There’s even a couple of Greenlanders on it!
Andy Thorburn - Piano ATMUSCD002
Piano is the new album from Andy Thorburn featuring mainly his own compositions, such as the well-known slow air Marni Swanson of the Grey Coast. This is a solo album in its true sense - music played on a solo instrument.
Amy Geddes and Sandy Wright - Over The Sky To See
Amy Geddes and Sandy Wright are two of the stalwarts of the Scottish music scene. Both are not only fine musicians but also great tune writers. On this their first album together produced by Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop there are some very good examples of these talents.
Amy Geddes and Sandy Wright - Little Bird
Together, Amy and Sandy have forged a charismatic playing partnership which has created a great musical combination. Following the success of their debut CD ‘Over the Sky To See’ they have joined forces with the Phat Controller for their second album ‘Little Bird’ which was recorded at the studio in Roag.
Tom MacNiven - Guess What?
Tom’s debut album was recorded in front of a live audience at CAVA Sound workshop in Glasgow. The immediacy of recording in front of an audience, tempered by the need to get as good a result as possible, has led to that indefinable 'something' that makes this recording special.
Nigel Hitchcock - Snakeranch Sessions
Nigel has performed to thousands of people around the world with artists such as Tom Jones, Wet Wet Wet, Beverley Craven, Ray Charles and Robbie Williams. It’s been a long time coming but finally Nigel has released an album under his own name. This album demonstrates the amazingly high standard of jazz which British musicians are capable of and should be in everyone’s collection.
Other Artists
Maggie MacInnes - Peaceful Ground (Talamh Sìtheil) MARCD02
SINGER and clarsach player Maggie MacInnes's lovely, deftly inflected Gaelic singing and gentle but evocative musical settings create a peaceful musical ground of their own, with the occasional feistier offering adding variety without disrupting the mood.
Here are some of the CDs that artists on Phat Controller have been involved in, as well as some of the members of Session A9 and Peatbog Faeries
Gordon Gunn Band - Shoreside CDTRAX204
Gordon Gunn, Phil Anderson & Billy Peace first met when they played together in Ruby Rendall's Band in the 1980's. Phil & Billy have previous experience of playing in various Scottish & Country bands. Gordon began his career playing with Addie harper & The Wick Fiddlers. The trio have made many radio broadcasts and appearred on the Grampian/STV programme "Northern Nights" during 2000.
Explosive Fiddlers RAJCD01
The Explosive Fiddlers project began in 1999 with the collaboration between 4 fiddle players; Duncan Chisholm, Paul Anderson, James Alexander and Charlie McKerron and 1 man and his piano, Andy Thorburn. The CD features original and self penned compositions in a variety of solo styles and also features some exciting group playing.
Fiddlers Bid - Hamnataing CDTRAX167
Fiery fiddling is the hallmark of this young band from the Shetland Islands and there's certainly plenty examples on this fine CD. Yet, for reflective moods and poignant airs they have a sensitive and beautiful feel for the tunes which lingers on in the mind of the listener.
Fiddlers Bid - Naked and Bare CDTRAX277
There’s not a single track here that is below par – this band is at the top of its profession. Andrew Gifford and Chris Stout continue to write top quality tunes that should become future standards. Sound engineer Stuart Hamilton has captured perfectly the band’s huge, bright sound. Exceptionally enjoyable and stirring listening - an album that does such justice to the Shetland tradition.
The Boys of the Lough - Lonesome Blues and Dancin’ Shoes CDTRAX277
This album represents the "lonesome blues" of lost love and separation, alongside the "dancing shoes" that the BOTL have caused ever since their inception!
La Boum - Global Warming
While the immediate prevailing feel is certainly African - plangent, tumbling guitar riffs, hot splashes of brass, bright female backing harmonies - La Boum!'s collective compass has expanded to include reggae (Chocolate Peat, Steamin'), Latin (Waiting by the Sea), Ambient (Friction), blues and jazz in their sophisticated stylistic melange.
La Boum! - Marionette
Musical exoticism that defies categorisation from a Scottish group of master players and singers. The fun of listening to Marionette is similar to a journey; it's better to travel than to arrive. Soak up the carnival atmosphere created by La Boum!
An t-Eilean (The Island) - Compilation
The stunning music on this album came about through a collaborative commemoration in 2003 of the emigration of around 800 Skye and Raasay people in June 1803. Musicians featured include Anne Martin, Blair Douglas, Emma Swinnerton, John Lamond, & Neil Campbell.
nuair bha mi og - phs100
A compilation of music by former Portree High School students to celebrate 100 years of higher grade education in Portree, Isle of Skye.
Musicians featured include Runrig, Angus Nicolson, Farquhar MacDonald, Anne Martin, Daisy Chains and Emma Swinnerton.
Tim Edey - Daybreak
A must for any listener or musician with an interest in the melodoen/accordeon and guitar played the Celtic way. This album firmly established Tim Edey as possibly the best exponent of the melodoen to come through in years on the Celtic music scene.
Boys of the Lough - Twenty
The twentieth album of traditional music and song from Boys of the Lough. Together the boys bring the distinctive music of their own localities to the project and include one or two items from the wider tradition that have caught their attention during their extensive travels. Excellent music and great CD sleeve notes with history of the tunes and songs.
Highland Games - Various Artists
Together, Finlay MacDonald, Simon McKerrell and Chris Gibb are the largest concentration of young piping talent you're likely to find this side of Hogmanay. They're joined by some talented and innovative backing musicians to produce scintillating arrangements.
India Alba - Reels and Ragas
First album from Indian/Scottish quartet. The line-up consists of cittern player Nigel Richard, Borders piper Ross Ainslie, Indian violinist Sharat Srivastava and Gyan Singh on tablas Recorded in New Delhi, the music successfully fuses the rhythms of both musical cultures, creating strange and pleasing instrumental hybrids.
Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson - Partners in Crime VERTCD085
"Separated by the Irish Sea, their common crime is having long hair and playing brilliantly on the bellows pipes. Huge technique, adventurous contemporary rhythm, most of the compositional credits and solid studio support from some of Scotland and Ireland's top instrumentalists makes this a benchmark for the new generation." (Scotland On Sunday)
