Edinburgh born saxophone maestro Tommy Smith has made the shortlist for the inaugural Scottish Album Of The Year awards (SAY).
Karma, which was released last May, has received widespread critical acclaim and made the final ten nominations following a combined one day public vote and judging panel decisions.
The album sees Smith working alongside a host of talented Scots with Kevin Glasgow on bass and Steve Hamilton on the keyboard. Together they have created an album of “gob-smacking energy and superb inventiveness.”
The awards are being run by the Scottish Music Industry Association and is the brain child of Stewart Henderson, co-founder of the renowned Chemikal Underground label. Winners will receive £20,000 (the same as Mercury Prize winners), with runners-up also receiving £1,000.
The remainder of the shortlist is dominated by Glasgow outfits such as Mogwai and Twin Atlantic, though Fife’s very own King Creosote is still in the running for his celebrated work with Jon Hopkins on Diamond Mine. Edinburgh band FOUND failed to make it through to the final stage of the competition though factorycraft was nominated for the SAY longlist.
The final ten albums will now be poured over be judges and the winners announced in 33 days.
Buy Karma on iTunes now http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/karma/id434964347
