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Listen to Samples
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1. Release
2. Lovers Of Light
3. Eireann
4. Urban Aire
5. Big Cat
6. Even In My Dreams
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7. Amber
8. Hypnotica
9. Riding The Waves
10. I Think Of
11. Release It - (Instrumental)
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Reviews
Amazon.com
Lots of traditional-music recordings thrive when they're at their purest, stripping away influence to revel in a core sound. The exact opposite is the case with the Afro Celt Sound System's sophomore effort, Release, which hits its highest plateaus when it's juiciest and pulpiest, throwing everything into the mix. Hailed for their cross-cultural toss-together of traditional West African and Celtic musics on an electronic backbone, the Afro Celts indulge their digital-age ability to throw African drum patterns behind Uilleann pipes and Irish tin whistle all with a club-ready pulse. Their debut and various appearances at World of Music, Arts, and Dance (WOMAD) festivals cemented their success at this mixological approach, and Release makes the clarity of the group's vision all the more astonishing. Perhaps it's what Irish violinist Martin Hayes has called the "lonesome touch," but the Celtic contribution often squares up as a yearning cry, contrasting vividly with the techno beats and West African drumming. --Andrew Bartlett
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Customer Comments
Average Customer Review:
Number of Reviews: 23
Relentless Rhythm, Transport Through Time
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Reviewer:
A music fan
from Concord, New Hampshire
November 21, 1999
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I came by way of Celtic music: whirling reels, wailing 'pipes, a journey into the only heritage accessible to descendants of white Europeans. I had heard thousand-year-old tunes played on 500-year-old instruments in a setting from a Druidic past. And I felt it stir my soul. I had also come through Africa, by way of Johnny Clegg and Savuka, before Nelson Mandela had been freed -- urgency aligned with the certainty of impending joy. I heard some cuts from Afro-Celt sound System's first album, Sound Magic, and it caught my attention. Then I came to Release, and it all flowed together. I was reminded of (believe it or not) The Rascals' "Mother Nature Land" which 20--25 years ago had blended driving, naked drums with a search for religious and environmental peace. But "Release" soars with a voice more appropriate to the material, and with no human voice at all, and it takes you along. Are you in the African past, or in the Celtic past of blue-faced warriors? Ultimately, it doesn't matter, because it dances you into the future, even if you don't dance much. You will. Take this to any party, and you'll be the hero, for taking the whole groove to a higher level, turning the evening's festivities to joyous relevance and leaving everyone with a mystical calm when the music stops. Or just put it on your player at home and let it take you away.
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Awesome Martial Arts Training Music...Taiko with an attitude
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Reviewer:
Kevin Schaller (kevin@annuity1.com)
from Lake Tahoe, Nevada
November 9, 1999
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We use both afro-celt cd's for training music in our dojo, between this and Kodo's Sai-So cd, you will push your limits in an intense work out. An 8th degree blackbelt weapons master has put together a demonstration kata to this that would blow your mind. Awesome music....DO MORE!
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This band is awesome, and even better live....
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Reviewer:
Patric Urso (zerotap@aol.com)
from Seattle, WA
October 17, 1999
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I bought this cd on the recomendation of a radio station here in seattle, and I have never regretted it. In fact I like the cd so much, I went out and bought the first one,sound magic, and it is just as good. I also got to see them live at the showbox here in seattle and i'm telling you, if you bought the second album, get the first and by all means make any arrangements necessary to see them live if they are playing in your neck of the woods. They put on an incredibly entertaining and energetic show. Laters to all my fellow afro-celts out there.
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Not as Good as Vol 1, but good.
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Reviewer:
bluejack (mail@bluejack.com)
from Seattle
October 15, 1999
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You got Vol 1? You got the gist of what is going on here, and Vol 2 is just more of it. If you took Vol 1 and Vol 2 and thought of it as one album, most of your favorite tracks would be on Vol 1, although 2 would have a few gems. Still, if you are stale on 1 and want something that is not already hardwired into your aural subsystem, Vol 2 will be fresh, fun, and worth the effort.
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Everyone gets hooked!
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Reviewer:
A music fan
from California
October 2, 1999
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This CD gets a lot of Travel time, I take it to work,listen there, I listen to it in the car, at home, everywhere.. And everyone from the custodian to my fellow teachers goes: 'WHAT is the name of that group, I have to get a copy'.
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Excellent.
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Reviewer:
A music fan
from Boston, MA
September 27, 1999
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The excitement and musicianship heard on this album is absolutely amazing. Having just seen the band last night, I can honestly say this CD captures the energy and the "in the moment" feel of the live show. Be prepared to move!
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The union of celtic melodies and african sudtones is grand!
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Reviewer:
A music fan
from New Jersey
September 18, 1999
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I have never been so pleased as to hear orginally composed music melding celtic melodies, african bass lines, and a nuevo dance slant. This album gives the listener a feeling of being in several far away places at once. I love it!
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Great CD!
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Reviewer:
daveb@cmr.gov
from Fairfax, Virginia
September 9, 1999
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A great CD that really gets your feet tapping to the beat. Good drum rythms, bagpipes, et all. Lyrics don't get in the way of the music. A definite improvment over Vol 1.
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Click here for all 23 customer comments...
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