Hildaland - Sule Skerry (feat. Ethan Setiawan & Louise Bichan) (2023)

Hildaland’s debut album ‘Sule Skerry’ could easily have featured in our folk roundup. It’s here because it highlights the roots of Bluegrass. The second tune here ‘Silver Dollar’ has the characteristic chopping mandolin rhythm and the tying yourself in knots soloing that we know and love from the best Bluegrass. Elsewhere, on ‘Ettrick’ for instance, the music sits almost halfway between the Highlands and the Appalachians. Folk singing over a Bluegrass tune. As this is the work of Scottish Fiddle player Louise Bichan and American mandolinist Ethan Setiawan that blend is hardly surprising. It is a cracking album whether you a[approach it from Folk or Bluegrass.