Highland based Gaelic singing quartet – Cruinn, are set to launch their debut album at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow on the 31st January and then perform at the festival the following night. It’s release comes exactly a year since the band performed their debut concert at the prestigious winter music festival.

Cruinn brings together four of Scotland’s premier Gaelic singers – James Graham, Fiona Mackenzie, Brian Ó hEadhra and Rachel Walker. As individuals they have earned high distinction for their musicianship and performances. Collectively as Cruinn they are fast earning a reputation for their presentations of songs in Gaelic, both traditional and contemporary, and are admired for their outstanding use of harmonies and superb arrangements.

These arrangements and harmonies come to the fore on Cruinn’s new album, entitled “Cruinn”, which was produced by the acclaimed producer Jim Sutherland and recorded by Stuart Hamilton in the prestigious Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland.

“The band has come a long way in just a year” states Lochaber based band member Rachel Walker. “We have worked hard in choosing a diverse mix of material for the album, including songs from Ireland, England, Hungary which are translated into Gaelic, as well as self-composed songs and traditional Gaelic ones.”

Source: Cruinn

Fellow band member, Inverness based Fiona Mackenzie is looking forward to the year ahead, stating, “We hope this album will broaden our audience at home and abroad. We already have bookings this year for the new Trad Fest Edinburgh/Dùn Èideann, the Ullapool Book Festival, and as resident band at the Blas Festival. We can’t wait!”

The album “Cruinn” by Cruinn is out the band’s own label on 31 January and will be available in shops and by download from 31st January. They are currently taking pre-orders for the album on their website: www.cruinn.net. Cruinn would like to thank Creative Scotland for supporting this project.