No, Sholto is not a musician. Yes, Sholto is a musician. This balancing act is somewhat reminiscent of Alan Parsons, who produced Pink Floyd before releasing his own albums. Oscar Sholto Robertson is also a producer and sound engineer, as well as a drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, flutist, percussionist, and singer on his third album, The Sirens.

The Sirens is a very atmospheric album. Lots of reverb and space make the sound of the twelve songs seem to float. The label promises a “dreamlike, multi-layered journey.” And even if such flowery promises are not usually followed through on, they cannot be dismissed here. Even if the journey does not follow the same track for everyone, the stops along the way are definitely called deceleration and contemplation.

31-year-old Sholto has crafted his latest sound journey on the border between jazz and ambient. It was recorded together with singers Phoebe Coco and Lea Petges, bassist Syd Kemp, pianist Thomas McBrian, Rachel Kitchlew on harp, violinist Clementine Brown, cellist Sebrina Lambert Rose, and flutist Arthur Sajas.

The album title The Sirens refers, among other things, to the odyssey that is musically rendered in Tied To The Mast. More generally, it provides the soundtrack for the journey that humans go through in their lives. Longing and doubt find their place here, as do duality and joy—the whole range of emotions and experiences are reflected and given a musical anchor.

What is striking in formal terms is how intensely the tonal structure of the album creates an open atmosphere and plenty of space in the listening room. It is an interesting phenomenon, this illusion of vastness and—even more so—of astonishing depth within one's own four walls. On this immense stage, however, the musical events do not take place in isolated pockets, but are cleverly interwoven and at the same time finely audible. In this respect, too, the album is a delight.

With The Sirens, Sholto has succeeded in creating a very beautiful album that credibly invites you to immerse yourself in it. Odyssey or sirens, it's worth it. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Oscar Sholto Robertson, drums, keyboards, guitar, bass, flute, percussion, vocals
Phoebe Coco, vocals
Lea Petges, vocals
Syd Kemp, bass
Thomas McBrien, piano, keyboards
Rachel Kitchlew, harp
Clementine Brown, violin, viola
Sebrina Lambert Rose, cello
Arthur Sajas, flute

Engineered by Oscar Sholto Robertson, Syd Kemp & David Bardon
Recorded at SFJ Studios & Total Refreshment Centre, London
Pre-mastered by Jasper Geluk
Mastered by Doug Krebs
Co-produced by Syd Kemp (Track 8)
Produced, Mixed by Oscar Sholto Robertson