FREYA RAE – Divergence (Mere Cat Records – MCRCD001

In 2020, when many of us were looking for challenges to get us through lock down, Freya Rae set herself a target of writing a new tune every week for twenty weeks. The project bore fruit, and eleven of the tunes are now included on Divergence, her new album.

Freya is an Edinburgh based multi-instrumentalist, and Divergence takes its name from her interest in promoting the use of non-traditional instruments in traditional music. Most important among these is her specialist instrument, the boehm system flute. This is the silver version of the instrument used by orchestras but rarely heard in folk music. Freya also plays whistles and clarinet, and is joined by clarsach player Siannie Moodie, who also provides electric effects, and Tim Lane on drums, tongue drum, and sansula (a kalimba, or thumb piano, mounted on a drum). This trio is supported by two guest musicians, Eryn Rae and Fraser Fifield.

The album opens with ‘Alderbank,’ a set of three tunes, all written by Freya. First comes ‘Alderbank,’ a gentle tune, named for a street where Freya once lived. The clarsach is prominent here, before a whistle takes a leading role in the second tune, ‘Broon’s.’ The set ends with ‘The Hat,’ a lively and infectious reel.

Freya wrote ‘Owlets,’ for some baby tawny owls who lived on Arthur’s Seat in 2020. It’s a lively, and at times appropriately playful tune. Freya’s flute is joined by a low whistle played by Fraser Fifield.

A pair of tunes follows. ‘Aye Yew’ was written for the Ormiston Yew, an ancient tree in East Lothian. It’s a pleasant tune with Fraser’s alto saxophone giving it a slightly jazzy feel. The beautiful sound of the clarsach then introduces the second tune, ‘Seven By Five Feet Squared.’ The title is the dimensions of the room in which Freya wrote it in 2020. As befits its clarsach opening, it has a more Celtic feel and the alto saxophone, that added a jazzy touch to ‘Aye Yew,’ now demonstrates what a good alternative it makes to bagpipes. The instrumentation also includes a fiddle, played by Eryn Rae.

‘Willow’ opens with a haunting flute solo, and develops into a slow tempo tune, to which the clarsach and tongue drum add a layer of dreamy mysticism. A beautiful Celtic chillout track.

‘Myrtle’ is a set of three tunes, starting with ‘Myrtle Terrace.’ Written for the cats in the said road, this is a tune with a warm and friendly feel. The flute leads, with the distinctive sound of the tongue drum playing a prominent support role. A whistle takes the lead on ‘The Watchmaker,’ a lively traditional tune, before some delicate clarsach playing – sounding like a Spanish guitar – leads us into the unmistakeably Latin final tune. ‘The Dragon of Ortigueira’ is inspired by the famous Festival De Ortigueira in Galicia, where Freya twice played the main stage with her previous band ‘Holiday Club.’

The Iberian theme continues on ‘Can Xaco,’ another of Freya’s tunes, taking its name from the home of a friend near Barcelona. Percussion opens the track, setting up the rhythm, before the flute joins in. What follows is a complex and interesting tune, with a hint of mystery emphasised by electronic effects and discordant elements.

After these Spanish excursions, it’s appropriate that the final track on Divergence, ‘Beetroot,’ is firmly rooted in Scotland. It consists of two lively, foot stomping reels, starting with ‘Beetroot,’ a tribute to Freya’s favourite vegetable. This rare example of a tune named for a vegetable is followed by ‘Willie Henderson’s Reel,’ a tune by Matt Seatle.

‘Beetroot,’ is an enjoyable finale on which the alto saxophone again shows what a good alternative to bagpipes it makes. In doing so, it helps to achieve the aim of Divergence, demonstrating that great folk music can be made without relying entirely on traditional instruments. Throughout the album, the contributions of instruments rarely heard on the folk scene adds extra interest.

Divergence is a collection of impressive tunes. All but two of them were written by Freya and all were arranged by the three core musicians. The musicianship is high quality throughout. Divergence is perhaps not an album that makes bold statements or seizes the listener’s attention, but lovers of Scottish folk music should find plenty to enjoy.

Graham Brown

Artist’s website: Flute | Freya Rae Music | Scotland

‘Alderbank’ – live:

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