Volume 3: Further in Time [Enhanced]

Amazon.com's Best of 2001
While not as out-of-left-field revelatory and astonishing as their exalted debut, nor as darkly magnetic as their sophomore follow-up, Volume 3: Further in Time finds Afro Celt Sound System fleshed out, funky, and fiercely fresh. Now a band of 20-some-odd players, the Afro Celts push forward with unbounded energy and focus, organically driven beats, and a thoroughly joyous fusion of West African and Irish traditional music enhanced with dissonant Eastern influence, psychedelic trip-hop groove, and a monster flood of sonic waves. The resultant sound is somehow both cutting-edge futuristic and primitive in its visceral virility. Demba Barry steps up with an unexpectedly punchy African hip-hop-styled vocal on "Shadowman," "Lagan" plays out into an orchestral swan dive, and, throughout, Johnny Kalsi and Moussa Sissokho come on like gangbusters with the drums. Real World label honcho and world-music champion Peter Gabriel does a stunning turn on the eminently catchy "When You're Falling," and Robert Plant contributes a powerfully epic rock vocal on "Life Begins Again." Fine as all these moments are, the centerpiece of volume 3, where the band achieves beyond perfect synthesis, is the ecstatic groove-lock on the African acid ceilidh of "Colossus." Volume 3 is the tune-in turn-on we've been waiting for. --Paige La Grone

Tracks:

North - Part 1
North - Part 2
When You're Falling (featuring Peter Gabriel)
Shadow Man
Lagan
Colossus
Life Begins Again (featuring Robert Plant)
Further in Time
Go on Through
Persistence of Memory
Silken Whip
Onwards

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

While not as out-of-left-field revelatory and astonishing as their exalted debut, nor as darkly magnetic as their sophomore follow-up, Volume 3: Further in Time finds Afro Celt Sound System fleshed out, funky, and fiercely fresh. Now a band of 20-some-odd players, the Afro Celts push forward with unbounded energy and focus, organically driven beats, and a thoroughly joyous fusion of West African and Irish traditional music enhanced with dissonant Eastern influence, psychedelic trip-hop groove, and a monster flood of sonic waves. The resultant sound is somehow both cutting-edge futuristic and primitive in its visceral virility. Demba Barry steps up with an unexpectedly punchy African hip-hop-styled vocal on "Shadowman," "Lagan" plays out into an orchestral swan dive, and, throughout, Johnny Kalsi and Moussa Sissokho come on like gangbusters with the drums. Real World label honcho and world-music champion Peter Gabriel does a stunning turn on the eminently catchy "When You're Falling," and Robert Plant contributes a powerfully epic rock vocal on "Life Begins Again." Fine as all these moments are, the centerpiece of volume 3, where the band achieves beyond perfect synthesis, is the ecstatic groove-lock on the African acid ceilidh of "Colossus." Volume 3 is the tune-in turn-on we've been waiting for. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Sounds A Bit Like M E H D I.......2007-07-28

Oh, Wow! This is a cd that will be liked by all who enjoy M E H D I, E N Y A or even Loreena Mckinnetts Previous works. It is the very essence of good new age. So tranquil, yet so spirited, this cd is a refreshing break from my well-worn collection, I just keep wanting to listen to it over and over again. I am amazed! It reminds me somewhat of Celtic Women, but still very unique. This is music to the soul. Absolutely relaxing, as well.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: M E H D I ~ Instrumental Paradise Volume 8 ...A True Gem, JUST GO LISTEN TO THE SAMPLES !

Awesome CD!.......2006-11-26

I just can't get enough of this group. They have such a unique sound: the name of the group sums it up pretty well. This is an awesome CD like the others.

Unique and upbeat.......2006-11-06

I was introduced to this music by a coworker and I really like it! I've always been a fan of celtic music, but this is like celtic on espresso. It's very upbeat and truly unique. I highly recommend it - enjoy!!

Incredible - the only word to describe it.......2006-08-02

My aunt put this in the car one day when we were driving to my uncle's house. I had just played the song "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from Inside Man, and she said I bet you'll like this, it's a lot of the same style. As soon as she put it on, "North" came on, and absolutely blew me away. The beautiful ambient sounds and the sparse, yet undeniably enchanting African vocals were just beautiful. By the time "North Part 2" came on, we were both drumming our hands and dancing in the car. Whoever thought of mixing African and Celtic music, then setting it to a rave/techno beat is a genius.

She bought me the CD (and also "Seed, which is great too), and I've been listening to it obsessively since. I know it's now a cliche so rate this CD 5 stars, but the beautiful, haunting melodies and the catchy, rythmic tehcno beats make this CD one of the best in my collection. It was a great find for me especially, since I'm getting sick of all the horrible pop/rock/rap that's out there. If you're like me, and you're sick of all "today's hits" and are looking for something to dance to and have a great time listening to, BUY THIS ALBUM! It is something very fresh and amazing. Aah, North 2 just came on with that awesome celtic instrument riff and dance club style techno beat. I gotta get back to dancing!

My mind has been blown.......2006-05-30

Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, plus musicians from all over the world combining their grooves together to make a whole that surpasses anything I could have imagined. This CD not only transports, it elevates! Essential for the world music collector.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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