SEPTEMBER 1999
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 7
Blending Celtic and African Music for a Futuristic Cutting-Edge Sound
HE TRADITIONAL music of Western Africa and Ireland is fused into a seamless blend by The Afro-Celt Sound System. Now, three years later and over 200,000 in record sales from the release of their critically acclaimed debut Volume 1: Sound Magic, the band is now recognized as one of the most innovative and eclectic groups to emerge from the Nineties meltdown.
The band deftly mixes African and European music without destroying its essence. Jungle rhythms nestle next to jigs and reels, African jazz flows into Gaelic eulogies.
The sound is a rare paradox: deeply roots in some of the oldest musical traditions in the world, it merges to become a cutting-edge, futuristic beat.
Now, Volume 2 represents the transformation of a project, conceived at the 1996 Real World Recording Week, into a cohesive band with a unique sound and style.
The record is forged out of over 100 live gigs and TV appearances and reflects the playing skills and personalities of the individual core members: Simon Emrnerson
(guitars, programming, keyboards), N'Faly Kouyate (vocals, kora, balafon), Iarla O Lionaird (vocals), James McNally (keyboard, whistle, bodhran, accordion), Myrdhin (Celtic harp), Martin Russell (keyboards, programming, engineering), and Moussa Sissokho (talking drum, djembe).
The inherent energy and joy of the music is offset by a bittersweet sadness, interpreted through the dynamic and expressive playing of guest performers — Nigel Eaton on hurdy gurdy and Michael McGoldrick and Ronan Browne on uilleann pipes.
It starts with an ambient drone and ancestral invocation, Iarla 0 Lionaird's dark vocals share the stage with guest vocalist Sinead O'Connor.
As Martin Russell savs: "Everv-
Awaken the Celtic Spirit With Music
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
Hearts of Space label has just released Celtic Twilight Five, volume five of their million-selling Celtic Twilight series. Monastic choral chants are combined in the music to create a wistful, reflective album to awakens the Celtic spirit deep in us all.
Some of the finest Celtic artists are featured on this album. They range from the acclaimed Danna Brothers, Joanie Madden, John Doan, Bill Douglas, and Jeff Johnson.
Added special treat is the North American debut of the stunning Irish soprano Meav — former principal soloist with Anuna, Riverdance, and the Irish National Concert Orchestra.
The jacket cover for this album features an enormous yellow setting sun reflecting on the water form a Celtic deign, with mountains in the background.
There is something indescribably beautiful and peaceful about Celtic twilights. It is not surprising that so many poets and songwriters have tried to express this
splendor in words.
For more information on this album, visit the Hearts of Space website at: www.hos.com or call ((415)331-3200 or E-mail hos@hos.com.
The Tandem Music Group has released a new CD called Celtic Mystique, an extraordinary compilation of exquisite songs by outstanding Celtic-influenced female vocalists from North America and the United Kingdom.
Since the immense popularity of A Woman's Heart, the Irish compilation featuring Mary Black, it would seem that the trend toward female compilation albums has caught on in a big way. There is something compelling about women singing in the Gaelic language or just singing Celtic songs.
Celtic Mystique leads us back gently, and sometimes not so gently, in song through the Celtic mists of time.
The album offers 12 tracks with such diverse singers Moira Kerr, Elyra, Sheila Ryan, Laura Powers, Mae McKenna, Anne Martin, Gabriclle Angelique, Sharon Murphy, Jennifer Parsigjiault, Darby DeVon, Jennifer White and Pippa Marland.
Some traditional highlights are Maclain OfGlencoe, The Heather, She Grows, Danny Boy, Circle Of Stone, Oran Leannan Sithe, Ancient Souls and Homes of Donegal.
For more information including sound bites, visit The Tandem Music website at: www.tandem-music.com or E-mail: info@ tandem-music.com. The CD is available in Canada through Island Music. Call (604) 984-9110 or toll-free (888) 907-9977.
AFRO-CELT SOUND SYSTEM an innovative and eclectic group who have fused the music of Western Africa with Celtic to create a completely unique dynamic sound. Photo: sieve py»e
one wanted the album to be hard and kicking, to reflect the live attitude of the band. However, we didn't want huge thunderous beats with token African and Celtic sound-bites over the top. We had to create a landscape, where the band's personality could speak for itself."
Simon Emrnerson said, "It's very difficult to get across to people that what we're doing is rooted in my neighbourhood in East London. Our studio is based in the same building as Fat Man Sound System — one of London's oldest. Club Dog are also there. My neighbour runs Jah Youth Sounds
and Zion Train live up the road. This is my musical environment." •
The Afro-Celt Sound system make their debut appearance in Vancouver on October 14. Tickets will go on sale on September 9 at all TicketMaster outlets, Zulu Records and Highlife Records.
Scotland's Entertainers -Tom 3n4 J^ck
THE ALEXANDER BROTHERS
return to the Vancouver Scottish Cultural Centre Saturday, October 9tb.at 8:00 p.m.
For an evening of music, song and humour that's guaranteed to keep your feet a tapping.
Tom and Jack are world class entertainers, playing such venues as Massey Hall Carnegie Hall Royal Albert Hall Sydney Opera House as well as numerous venues throughout their native Scotland-They have no less than 50 audio releases and five videos!
Tickets $15 Reserved - Call C604) 939-3963 or 984-9110 Tickets at the door $18
Sponsored by The Vancouver Gaelic Society and Island Music Distributors