Having been in the company of Kenneth and Angus MacKenzie on many and varied occasions, I have been looking forward to the day that these siblings combined their not insignificant talents to let us all hear their music on record. Here we have a great selection of tunes played in an original and distinctive style, with great virtuosity and taste or ‘Blas’. I would say there is no doubt as to where this ‘Blas’ comes from. Kenneth and Angus are the sons of Ronald, Raghnall Aonghais Raghnaill Chlachair a’ Gearradh Bhailteas, from South Uist, Scotland. Their paternal grandmother was from the Curries of South Uist who were a family of significant cultural importance especially in piping. Their late mother, Maureen Rankin of Mabou, was a daughter of Archie Rankin who was descended from John Rankin known as ‘John the Immigrant’ who left Lochaber in Scotland in 1801 and was one of the Mabou Pioneers. The pipes and the fiddle have had a long and deep connection as melody instruments in the Scottish music tradition. Many of the early pipers in Cape Breton were also well-known as talented fiddlers. Today, the two instruments share the stage in many a performance, concert or party. These two brothers – both of whom play both instruments - uphold and maintain this crucial link. Each instrument influences the other, as do both brothers, having grown up playing and learning with each other. This musical affinity and the influences from both sides of the Atlantic are evident in their music, as is the way they play together with a closeness and understanding rarely found outwith families. For me this is as good as it gets. Iain MacDonald - September 2010