The outstanding guitarist Ian Melrose chose a frolicsome reference to Jules Vernes's classic novel ???Around The World In 80 Days??? as the title of his new album. The CD is a musical homage to the multicultural flair of his chosen hometown, Berlin, where this sociable Scotsman has lived for 28 years now.This agile acoustic guitarist discovered a virtually endless selection of genres, styles and musical colors right outside his home and merged them into an unusually kaleidoscopic album. Ian Melrose already worked as a valued sideman, author and arranger for artists and bands such as Reinhard Mey, Clannad and Paul Joses. On his new album, he presents Celtic instrumentals, echoes from Africa, Nordic folklore, Indian resonance and the mysterious atmospheres of the Orient. On the way, he picked up traveling companions such as the Turkish baglama virtuoso Taner Akyol, the Hungarian fiddle player Tam??s Szarka, the multi-instrumentalist Vladiswar Nadishana and the Norwegian singer and guitarist Kerstin Blodig. It's fascinating how Ian Melrose ??? also known as the protagonist in projects such as Kelpie, Talking Water and Norland Wind ??? manages to apply his fine fingerstyle guitar playing to create a harmonious dialogue amongst the styles, instruments and tonal colors of a wide variety of cultures. This makes ???Around The Corner In 80 Minutes (... More Or Less)??? an extremely agreeable musical journey around the world. First-class, no doubt about it.