Haddington musician’s latest track was inspired by Lammermuirs

Cartesia, by JJ Wilson, was released in February and the instrumentalist revealed that the great outdoors had played a significant part in the production.

He described the song as “a frenetic and driving modular synthesiser anthem” and revealed it was the first of a series of singles to be released this year that are partly inspired by the local landscape.

He said: “For me, there is a whole load of East Lothian that nobody ever goes to.

“The Lammermuirs, particularly, are a place I go very regularly.

“I go every week or every couple of weeks and get out with the dogs and kids.

“It is a great place to clear your head.”

James Wilson, who performs as JJ Wilson, is a member of jazz quintet Zoracle and previously performed as house artist Mountane in the early 2010s.

The cover for the new track features a photograph of a muir burn in the Lammermuir Hills.

The track has already gained early plaudits and 35-year-old James was hoping for more releases later this year.

He said: “Much of this came out of improvisation in the studio, which looks across to the Lammermuir Hills.

“The cover photo was taken on a clear day with the sun coming through the smoke and fire in the hills as the heather was being burned, creating chaotic patterns and colours.

“We’re very fortunate to have such a range of landscapes in East Lothian, and so often inland they’re deserted.”

James, from Haddington, told the Courier he had been working on the music for the last six months.

And the talented instrumentalist, who plays piano, dilruba, fiddle, folk mandolin and drums, revealed how music had been important in his life.

The father-of-two said: “For us, growing up, our whole friendship group played different instruments when we were not getting up to mischief!

“We have all carried it on, even folk who are away elsewhere.

“I catch up with schoolfriends and it has continued to this day.”

Cartesia is available now on all streaming platforms.