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| How Double Bassist Roberto Cassani & Guitarist Graeme Stephen Captured Scotland’s Mysterious Pictish Magic in New Album - Release Date: April 25, 2025 via 577 Records Deep in the heart of the remote Scottish countryside's Ochill Hills lies a decommissioned rural school that passionate musicians have transformed into the "Tpot Studio". The wind-tattered building stands out against the lush, green backdrop that's permeated with the essence of the mystical Picti people who lived there many hundreds of years ago. It's where rising double bassist Roberto Cassani and award-winning composer and guitarist Graeme Stephen fused their talents to record their first album together (and their debut album with 577 Records), Pictish Spaghetti. Italian-born Roberto Cassani was adopted by the Scottish and now resides in Perthshire. When he and Graeme agreed to meet at the Tpot Studio one late summer afternoon in 2024, Cassani intended to "capture a true, imperfect, honest beauty of a moment in music". Within minutes, they had discussed the entire album and were already playing. The result? "What came out sounds like a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western set in Pictish territory, the soundtrack of which is left to a couple of Druids who trained for a lifetime to produce spontaneous moments, " explains Roberto. "Every noise, every stumble, every dissonance is essential. All live. 'Nae cheatin'!" In the Early Middle Ages, these hills outside of Perthshire were home to a tribe of "lost people" known now as the Picts. You can still see remnants of their magic and culture today, where their spiraling art was carved into rocks and boulders, called "Pictish stones". There is no denying that these mysterious and enchanting vibes influenced the duo's recording, which offers a spectrum that ranges from enigmatic grounding to joy-filled playfulness. Pictish Spaghetti drops April 25, available on digital download for your convenient listening pleasure. Enjoy! Tracklist 1 - Wayfaring Stranger (6:02) 2 - Empty Chair (6:44) 3 - G's Sabbath (6:38) 4 - Per sempre (5:10) 5 - Sneaking out of unhelpful thoughts (1:16) 6 - The last day of primary school (7:35) Album Credits: Roberto Cassani - double bass Graeme Stephen - guitar and pedals Recorded August 26, 2024 at Tpot Studio, Perthshire, Scotland Recorded and mixed by Robin Wynn Evans Mastered by Magnus Collie Cover painting by MiHee Kim Magee Graphic design by Sergio Vezzali Graphic support by Mark Smith Compositions: 1 - Traditional; arr. Cassani/Stephen 2, 4, 5, 6 by Roberto Cassani 3 by Graeme Stephen Publishing: Roberto Cassani write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |