Mojo (7/01, p.106) - "...Brimful of imagination..."
This is an Enhanced CD which, contains both regular auido tracks and multimedia computer files.
Afro Celt Sound System: N'Faly Kouyate (vocals, kora, balafon); Iarla O'Lionaird, Demba "Shadowman" Barry (vocals); Simon Emmerson (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, programming); Emer Mayock (flute, Uilleann pipes); James McNally (high & low whistles, accordion, harmonium, piano, keyboards, bodhran, programming); Martin Russell (keyboards, programming); Johnny Kalsi (dhol drums, tabla, Kalsi kit); Moussa Sissokho (talking drum, djembe); Mass (programming).
Additional personnel includes: Peter Gabriel (vocals, keyboards); Julie Murphy, Screaming Orphans, Pina Kollars, Robert Plant (vocals); Nawazish Ali Khan (violin); Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Ciaran Tourish (fiddle); Rosie Wetters (cello); Myrdhin (Celtic Harp); Nigel Eaton (hurdy-gurdy); Wired Strings (strings); Liam O'Flynn (Uilleann pipes); John Fortis (bass); Sunil Kaylan (tabla); Pete Lockett, Hossam Ramzy (percussion).
Producers: Simon Emmerson, James McNally, Martin Russell.
Recorded at Redchurch Recordings and Sonic Innovation, London, England; Real World Studios, Whiltshire, England.
VOLUME 3: FURTHER IN TIME was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.
On its third outing, the multi-cultural sonic collective known as the Afro-Celt Sound System continues to flex its eclectic musical muscles in a variety of areas. As on past recordings, the predominant sound is a mix of world music, dance/electronica, pop, and a kind of modern art-rock.
The opening track "North" typifies this approach, as tribal chanting and African-sounding rhythms collide with swirling bagpipes in a very danceable and digestible manner. There are more traditional pop-oriented moments on further in, and a couple of those are illuminated by some high-profile guest vocalists who bring a lot of themselves to their contributions. Peter Gabriel pops up on "When You're Falling," which wouldn't have sounded out of place on one of his '80s recordings, and Robert Plant sings on "Life Begins Again," creating a moody soundscape that's not a million miles from Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." Despite these star-powered tracks, however, it's the collective's unique vision and fresh sound that truly defines FURTHER IN.
Third album of world music-trance fusion from the Afro Celt Sound System. It contains more of their trademark funky, polyrhythmic sounds, and combines Celtic fiddle, African chanting and drum 'n' bass. Features guest appearances from Peter Gabriel and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant.