Released in 2009, post global financial crisis, 'Zama Zama...' saw Scottish traditional music legends Battlefield Band explore the greed, disasters, human resilience and victories inherent in the search and exploitation of different sources of wealth.

Alan Reid explains: "This album started as a collection of songs and tunes about gold. But as we searched, like the alchemists of old, it turned into a wider idea. In the process we saw the greed, disasters and victories inherent in the search and exploitation of various sources of wealth in this world. Then, as if by demonic serendipity, along came the worldwide economic crisis. We watched the major banks, insurance companies and Hedge Funds etc., implode, discrediting the entire financial system and many of its managers and advisers - but there was still more to come. We, in Britain, could only stand and watch aghast as many Members of Parliament, and the House of Lords at Westminster, ‘the Mother of Parliaments’ were exposed for their cynical misuse of the expenses system, often amounting to fraud. As we put this album together we have been amazed, angered, depressed and hilariously horrified."

After more than three decades performing on the international stage, inspired by their rich musical heritage and fired by the strength of the modern Scottish cultural scene, this powerful album illustrates that Battlefield Band continue to forge ahead as pioneers for contemporary Scottish traditional music.

Featuring songs and tunes old & new written by Battlefield Band, Norman Buchan, Allan MacDonald, Brian McNeill and Nina Simone.


"...impressively varied and entertaining album by one of Scotland’s great veteran bands...one of the great institutions of the Scottish music scene..."
Robin Denselow, BBC Music

...the feisty new album sees them in absolutely peak form...the howling pipes, ululating fiddle and crashing keyboards are as darkly magnificent as anything the Battlefield Band has ever recorded... Scotland's flagship folk band...'
fROOTS

...inspired fusion of ancient and modern Scottish traditional music... as ever, Battlefield Band deliver old and modern messages, blended with music from either end of Scotland’s timeline, to create yet one more excellent album...'
Folkwords,

'...fiery instrumentals, plaintive ballads and social history...a fabulous album, with the whole band at the top of their game'
Zeitgeist Review

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Track List: 01 The Mines of Golkonda 02 The Auchengeich Disaster 03 Ku’ula-kai 04 Robber Barons 05 Bernie’s Welcome to Butner 06 Uamh an Òir (Cave of Gold) / Zama Zama Boys 07 Ballarat Jig 08 Three Brothers 09 Caroline Winn’s 10 Greenland’s Icy Waters 11 Ruairidh Dubh (Black Rory) 12 Baile An Or 13 Plain Gold Ring 14 The Pretty Apron


Artists on this album:
Battlefield Band -
Alan Reid (keyboard, vocals, hammond, accordion) 
Mike Katz (highland and small pipes, whistles, bass) 
Alasdair White (fiddle, whistle, bouzouki) 
Sean O'Donnell (guitar, vocals) 
& guest
Allan MacDonald (vocals, small pipes)

Further Information:
Label: Temple Records
Released: 2009

Total playing time: 62 minutes

Temple Records Catalogue Number:
CD - COMD 2102 
Download - DD 2102 

Produced by Robin Morton 
Engineered by Ewan MacGregor & Robin Morton