Afrocelt Sound System

How do you organise a collision between Celtic and West African music without one or the other being quashed? The answer is simple. By orchestrating the encounter within a "Sound System" in which rhythms and effects close to dub or drum'n'bass highlight the purity of the Irish flute, kora, Celtic harp or balafon.
The Afro Celt Sound System musicians met during the 1996 edition of the "Real World recording week" (a week spent recording the label's records). Following an initial successful album, and numerous concerts throughout the world, this collective made up of a former member of The Pogues (James McNally), two griots (N'Faly Kouyate, Moussa Sissoko) a singer from "Sean nos", the Western Irish vocal tradition (Iarla Ó Lionáird), a harp player from Brittany (Myrdhin) and one of Babaa Maal's producers (Simon Emmerson), almost split up in October 97 following the death of their keyboard player Jo Bruce.
But needless to say, "The show must go on". They dedicated their second album to Jo, son of former Cream bass player Jack Bruce. "The Release" featured some distinguished guests including dhol and tablas master Johnny Kalsi, bassist Youth and the great Irish priestess Sinead O'Connor, making the record even more universal.
With its third album "Further in time", the Afro Celt Sound System entered a different league, pursuing its prestigious collaborations (Robert Plant and Peter Gabriel). The dosing of their various sources was increasingly coherent. Counterbalancing the Celtic melodies and the electronic backing that had dominated the previous albums, the African and Asian influences were better and better integrated.

In January 2002, Afro Celt Sound System was awarded the prestigious Listeners Award at the first ever edition of the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music.

The Afro Celt Sound System's music is a wonderful multicultural mix in which the ingredients' similarities shine out stronger than their differences.

Benjamin MiNiMuM

Artist website