The third effort from one of world music’s most high-profile acts – thanks to their home on Peter Gabriel’s renowned RealWorld label and the attendant promotion they get – truly explains Afro-Celt Sound System’s longevity and their appeal. If anything, this might just be the album that breaks them into the mainstream.
Further In Time features some high-profile guest gigs, with Mr. Gabriel himself taking the vocal duties on “When You’re Falling”, a cheerful, upbeat number, while Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame takes center stage on the mystical “Life Begin Again”, which just has the feel of a Led Zep number. I almost wish he could get Page in there and remake “Kashmir” with the Afro-Celts. Now that would be interesting.
Other highlights of the CD include the hyper-kinetic “Shadowman” (whose appeal is dimmed for me only in that one moment in which one of the vocalists shouts “Whassssuuuuuuup?” – and half the time I just let it slide because I like the rest of the song so much). I could see Shadowman making a dent in the clubs. The gentle vocals of “Go On Through” give that song a great appeal, and I hardly ever notice that the track tops out at just over eight minutes. It’s very relaxing. And “Lagan” just blows my mind, with its orchestral backing – it reminds me of some of the better tracks from Art Of Noise’s Seduction Of Claude Debussy, only more primal and mystic. “Onwards” could soothe just about anybody, no matter the circumstances. And “The Persistence Of Memory” has both the sound – and the shorter length – of a radio-friendly hit. I hope it
happens for them this time. They deserve it for this album.
I can’t recommend this one highly enough. I’ve enjoyed the Afro-Celts’ previous efforts, but their third time is the proverbial charm, raising the bar for their future efforts – and giving the uninitiated an excellent reason to check them out. Do pick this one up.
- North (6:49)
- North 2 (3:01)
- When You’re Falling featuring Peter Gabriel (5:14)
- Colossus (6:44)
- Lagan (4:04)
- Shadowman (6:36)
- Life Begin Again (vocals: Robert Plant) (6:22)
- Further In Time (6:32)
- Go On Through (8:03)
- Persistence Of Memory (4:29)
- The Silken Whip (7:18)
- Onwards (5:29)
Released by: RealWorld
Release date: 2001
Total running time: 70:41