Michael McGoldrick is the resident piper with Celtic superband Capercaillie and this is his third solo offering.

'Wired' touches many bases, hip-hop, eastern, jazz and rock but remains always grounded in a mellifluous and masterly Celtic lilt. This combination may seem somewhat bizarre but the emphasis is always brilliant musicianship, and an element of surprise. Think of a slightly more feisty Riverdance.

The album, it has to be said, is consistently good. If you like steadily building all-instrumental funky Celtic fusion, 'Strange Journey', 'The Honesty Bar' and 'The Jolly Tinker' should hit the button, whilst 'Sophie's' is like a Celtic take on Rufus' 'Ain't Nobody'. Fantastic.

The supporting cast-list reads like a who's-who of Celtic fusion with the appearance of McGoldrick's Capercaillie colleagues, Donald Shaw, Ewen Vernal and Manus Lunny. It follows 2000's excellent 'Fused' CD.

If you're into things Celtic, snap this up quickly and try and catch the band live. Others might do well to cast a few full pints to the Gaelic wind and check out these infectious grooves.

****

Review by David Randall

The Jolly Tinker
© 2005 Vertical Records. All rights reserved.

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly