Hammered dulcimer virtuoso Maclaine Colston and melodeon legend Saul Rose release their debut album Sand & Soil on April 6th 2009 on Get Real Records. These two great friends of fourteen years formed their duo in ‘996 while in Eliza Carthy & The Kings of Calicutt.

Having spent a few years on other projects, English folk luminaries Mac & Saul are now re-launching with an album that takes a look back as well as forward. Half retrospective, Sand & Soil includes archive tracks from ‘96 & 98 together with new recordings, to form a flowing album of tunes & songs from sea & laud. The unusual pairing of instruments sounds fresh & vibrant & is key to their unique arrangements. Combine this with hearty voices and the result is a truly powerful performance.

Saul has become a ubiquitous force on the folk circuit having played with bands such as Edward II, Ticked Pink, Eliza Carthy Band & Bellowhead to name but a few and is still at the forefront of traditional English dance with his Ceilidh bands Random & Whapweasel.

Mac is the product of Hammered Dulcimer player Jim Couza and has played a pivotal role raising the profle of the dulcimer during the past 20 years. Half of the virtuosic duo Cythara who performed on the soundtrack for David Attenborough’s Private Life of Plants. Mac was also a member of folk rock outfit Pressgang. Currently a member of Jennifer Crook’s band, Mac continues to push his instrument into new territory having appeared with the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing the soundtrack from The Lord of the Rings and recently joining alternative pop act Tina Mali.

The launch concert for Sand & Soil takes place ou April 10th 2009 at the Bath Folk Club. Widcombe, Bath.

Mark Gibbens will be reviewing the album for GondwanaSound.