Fans of Afro Celt Sound System are in for a treat in 2016 with the release of their new studio album ‘The Source’. According to their press release the album is their most ambitious to date promising to take their cross-cultural collaborations to a whole new level.
It is the first album to fully celebrate the African and Asian roots brought to the band by long-term members vocalist, kora and balafon player N’Faly Kouyaté and Dhol drummer Johnny Kalsi. Along with founder member Simon Emmerson (producer, guitars, cittern), Davy Spillane (uillean pipe, whistles), Ronan Browne (uilleann pipes), Emer Mayock (Uilleann Pipes and Whistle) and Moussa Sissoka (talk drums and djembe) the album also features contributions from a host of other outstanding musicians which together fully demonstrates the eclecticism of the band’s music.
They’ve also called upon a number of guests including members of Shooglenifty, a 5 strong female griot vocal group from N’Faly’s homeland Guinea Conakry, Robbie Harris on bodhrán (Jiggy / Bullys Acre), Ged Lynch (drums), Seane Davey (Harp), Richard Evans (Bass and engineering) and risings talents on the Celtic roots scene – the piping, vocals and rapping of Gaelic language activist Griorgair and Amagh flutist and singer Rioghnach Connolly.
Here’s small taster:
https://vimeo.com/142870999
www.afroceltsoundsystem.org.uk