Volume 3: Further In Time

Afro Celt Sound System, whose "Volume 3: Further In Time" has just arrived on the market, takes a leaf from Leftfield's book. Leftfield were the pioneers of a daring initiative: combusting world music with modern techno dance. The success was such that the two English DJs, Neil Barnes and Paul Daley, exploded from the dance circuit to which they had previously been largely restricted, onto the contemporary music scene with a bang.

Like Leftfield, African rhythms form an important part of Afro Celt Sound System's beat. Afro Celt should look to well-deserved dividends. On this album they have skillfully drawn on and taken samples from such well-known African musicians as the top-selling Manu Dibango (for example on "North", the opening track) and served up a delicious musical dish on which most, if not all, of the world's people, can discern their esoteric tastes or musical influences. Isn't that democracy? If that does not matter, the evident excellence surely does.

"North" itself starts in awesome fashion. Electronic and techno sounds open the track, accompanied by a lilting West African voice. The track then gets serious, hell breaks loose, heavy drums and a deep bass join in on the act, and we are entrapped in our excitement.

"North 2" sounds like "North", but is faster with the African flavour missing. It's like this: while "North" can be said to be the experiment, "North 2" is the control.

The danceable "When You're Falling" should find ample space in the hearts of the dance floor glitterati. Fully-fledged and heavy, you can sway back and forth to its beat, whether in a Western club or deep in the African forest. Simply put, this is world music at its most truthful moment.

Further down is "Colossus". It's reminiscent of Irish folk songs, but has modern bits thrown in. As one listens to 19th century-type melodies battling for recognition with drum 'n bass nuances, it becomes clear to the ear that the contrast serves as a bridging concept — whole generations are reflected in one song.

The slow "Lagan" enthralls for its refreshing ambience as for the gifted voice of Iarla O Lionaird. The next track, "Shadowman", is outstanding for its diversity — techno, African voices and uilleann pipes are all there, in what can be summarised as organised confusion because overall, the effect is pleasurable.

Listening to the voice of Iarla singing, "This is the day and the hour/And the change begins" on "Life Begin Again", one feels at once that less vocally talented but famous musicians will ship album copies in the millions, if Iarla agrees to feature on their work.

"Further In Time" (the title track), lives up to expectations and kicks off with some of the most modern sounds around. It starts with a predominant electronica element with a subdued rave groove, but the rave beat soon supercedes everything else, and to one's surprise, to the accompaniment of a West African voice. Surprise forms an important element on this CD and should serve as its ticket to success.