Fergus McCreadie is a complete and well-rounded musician, a passionate communicator and consummate performer. He is a composer of elegant, nuanced and captivating music as well as a pianist and improviser of exceptional ability and originality. Cairn is the highly anticipated follow-up to Fergus' debut, inspired by the tradition and landscape of his native Scotland. It declares itself with an energetic freshness of sound and originality reminiscent of the dynamism and personality with which the likes of piano trios The Bad Plus and EST emerged almost two decades ago. The music is dynamic and excites with a youthful but masterful flair. Over nine compositions, all penned by Fergus, the album moves effortlessly from impressionistic modal searchings to high octane, hard driving jigs and nuanced ballads underpinned by democratic improvisation. If ever there's an album that can sing, excite and inspire, Cairn is it. A melting pot of originality, freshness of sound and vitality, with all the potential to be one of the standout releases of 2021.