Three years on and over 200,000 record sales from the release of the critically acclaimed debut "Volume 1: Sound Magic", Afro Celt Sound System are now recognised as one of the most innovative and eclectic groups to emerge from the '90s meltdown. With the release of their powerful second album, the scene was set for a summer assault on this year's major European festivals.

"Volume 2 : Release" is the realisation of a year spent writing collectively. It's been a difficult time - a period of traumatic realignment after the unexpected death of keyboard player Jo Bruce - but, after much soul searching, the band emerged to produce a dynamic and emotionally charged album that was destined to become one of the year's landmarks.

Simon Emmerson and Martin Russell's multi-layered production has many hidden depths, bringing out the delicacy of the acoustic instruments - harp, kora, talking drum, bodhran, djembe, whistle, guitar, Gaelic and African vocals - but placing them in a totally immersive Pan European context.

The classic Celtic and West African flavour, with its inherent energy and joy, was offset by a bitter-sweet sadness, interpreted through the dynamic and expressive playing of the guest performers - Nigel Eaton on hurdy gurdy and Michael McGoldrick and Ronan Browne on uilleann pipes from the new generation of young folk musicians, Youth on bass, Dhol Foundation's Johnny Kalsi on dhol drums and tablas, and Sinead O'Connor on guest vocals.

Volume 2 represents the transformation of a project, conceived at the 1996 Real World Recording Week, into a cohesive band with a unique sound and style. The Afro Celts have made the record they collectively wanted to make, forged out of over 100 live gigs and TV appearances; a record that reflects the playing skills and personalities of the individual core members: Simon Emmerson (guitars, programming, keyboards), N'Faly Kouyate (vocals, kora, balafon), Iarla O Lionáird (.......
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