Sairie – Scarlet And Blue (EP)
Self Released – Out Now
Brighton-based Sairie have been together for about a year, with a lineup consisting of Emma Morton (vocals, autoharp), Jon Griffin (vocals, guitar) and Andy Thomas (bass). Jon and Emma met initially through Jon’s latter-day involvement with the alt-folk duo Lutine (which Emma had originally formed in 2014 with Heather Minor, and who together released their remarkably fine debut album White Flowers later that year – reviewed here).
The trio Sairie has since provided a more permanent and formal framework for Emma and Jon to collaborate. The first fruit of this musical teaming was a digital-and-limited-edition-vinyl two-track single in February of last year that coupled their imaginative accounts of the traditional The Gairdner and The Clinging Vine. Barely one year on, and that release is now succeeded by the five-track EP of all-original compositions, Scarlet And Blue, whose songs, while still clearly informed by the trio’s earlier take on tradition, also exude an atmosphere-laden feel akin to the experimental psych-folk spirit.
The EP opens with the mesmerising title track, whose ringing autoharp figures and smoothly pitched vocal legato might be considered strongly reminiscent of Trader Horne, Judy Dyble’s immediate post-Fairport venture. Next comes Rich For All My Sorrow, a compelling one-and-a-half-minute a cappella duet that switches from unison to harmony. The enchanting Flowers Of The Spring comes next, with extra interest generated by the prominent bassline and other additional instrumentation (including electric guitar) brought in for the passages of mantra-refrain. There’s something of a mid-period Incredible String Band sound to this one – or maybe also The Sun Also Rises, although there’s a more pronounced vibrato element to Emma’s voice here. The fourth track, the delicate Wight Hill, is a kind of courtship duet, harking back to the cautionary tale form of traditional yore; here the sparse backing of guitar and an ethereal high drone is particularly effective. Finally, a glistening electric guitar pierces the silence to introduce the sinuous exotic rhythms and handclaps of the catchy Winds Of Sirocco – which, in common with Scarlet And Blue itself, has just been released as a single.
Throughout the EP, Emma’s cool, controlled vibrato is a distinguishing feature of the Sairie sound, which is given further lustre by her own harmony vocal and when contrasted with Jon’s own voice. The instrumental accompaniment is well-judged, detailed, impeccably recorded with plenty of bloom to complement the voices; it’s a very persuasive blend indeed. The icing on the cake is the wonderful digipack artwork by Siân Griffin. A most attractive EP, which bodes well for Sairie’s future.
Order via Bandcamp: https://sairie.bandcamp.com/album/scarlet-and-blue-e-p
Sadly, Sidmouth Folk Festival is cancelled for 2020 so the event listed below will no longer take place.
As media sponsor for this year’s The Sidmouth Folk Festival, Folk Radio UK will be presenting a special concert on Saturday, 1st August featuring Brighton’s Bird in the Belly and Sairie.
Details here: https://sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk/cellar-bar-kennaway-house/