I’ve just come across this new and brilliant collaborative project which features the fabulous Ríoghnach Connolly, Ellis Davies (guitar) and Mendi Singh (Tabla, Vocals & Tampura). The Centre Cannot Hold is due for release as an EP on 16th May. Ríoghnach’s soulful bluesy vocals get lifted right out there, shimmering over a grungy Moog and lush basslines whilst Mendi Singh’s improvised legendary Tabla playing pushes the whole thing into an untouchable realm. A disciple of the legendary master Ajit Singh Mutlashi he has jammed with the likes of Peter Gabriel and is well respected across the music world. Mendi gets to go full scale on the final track ‘Another Way’ as well as showing his Indian classical training as a singer on Dhin Dhak…you’re used to hearing jazz and folk mingle but this is full on and some of the best I’ve heard, dark, smooth and god damn moody…you can’t touch it!
Taster:
Also featured is the talented fiddle player Emma Sweeney on ‘The Slip Jigs’ who you’ll know from our playlist. You can listen to the album in full below which is available on Bandcamp as an immediate download:
Full Album:
Ríoghnach Connolly – Vocals & Flute
Ellis Davies – Guitar
Mendi Singh – Tabla, Vocals & Tampura
Yvonne Ellis – Harp, Percussion & Moog
Myke Wilson – Drums
Nick Blacka – Double Bass
Ben Cashell – Cello
Emma Sweeney – Fiddle
Mali Campbell – Additional Vocals
and just in case you’ve never heard of Ríoghnach Connolly then this is what you’ve been missing: