Scotland has long been a home for greatly talented musician-composers, although sometimes this may not always have been widely remarked upon or even noticed outside this country. Happily, these days there is a sense of an emerging self-confidence, with Scottish jazz more often coming to critical notice. There is additionally, increasingly an apparent willingness by composers to fold our Scottish folk (roots) music into jazz. Both electric and acoustic bassist, composer, producer and sound designer Tom Lyne and his long-standing friend, pianist, composer, musical director and educator Dave Milligan both exemplify these trends.

Lyne, who hails from Edmonton, Canada, has lived in Scotland since 1998 where he has proven himself to be a force in both the jazz and folk scenes. A long-term creative partner of his, Dave Milligan, is equally ubiquitous on both scenes, Milligan for example notably collaborated with folk star Karine Polwart on their 2021 album, Still As Your Sleeping. Lyne and Milligan evidence a deep familiarity with and trust of each other in this album, contributing to its deeply calming quality.

Composed during the covid pandemic, Well Mixed Blue comprises a generous twelve tracks. The title track was very loosely based on Duke Ellington’s 1962 Money Jungle, while Lyne’s bass, virtual solo, is a cover of Marcus Miller and David Sanborn’s Run For Cover. However, the rest of the album are Lyne originals, with some simply gorgeous melodies and an attention to rich harmony. This, together with a warmth, a delicacy of touch and feeling, ensure that this entire album is a delight.

Opener Sea More with its unhurried tempo, deft balance between the two musicians and lyricism sets the tone for the whole album, while following track Three Sides Now confirms that this is music that would make for a fabulously chilled evening gig. Light-hearted Use Me is followed by the beautiful The Bent Peg with its appealingly bent bass notes. The title track brings some modal fun, with Milligan leaning into his chops which he demonstrates too on the mellifluous One Small Thing. Holding On must be one of this this listener’s favourites, for its stunning melody, sense of restraint and the delivery that shows great heart. Final track Dinner in Berlin with its slow, portentous opening chords proceeds almost hushed to a cautious finale as if to say, “OK, so what now…?”

Although music that is fast and loud can often rightly garner attention, this deft, textural and thoughtful album is the opposite of strident: a perfectly formed, unshowy and mature album that is as intellectually interesting as it is emotionally soothing.

Tom Lyne’s album Well Mixed Blue was released yesterday on the LisaLeo Records, and the live launch will be on 19 June 2025 at The Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh.

 

Tom Lyne’s website

Tom Lyne’s Bandcamp page

Dave Milligan’s website