Sleeper (KANCD01, 2012)
Sleeper is the title of the most recent album by Kan, a contemporary Celtic music band based in the UK. Kan features some of the finest musicians in the current Irish and Scottish roots music scene. The musicians describe their act as “a homogenous quartet of lead instruments.”
The four musicians demonstrate admirable skill as instrumentalists and perform highly creative music. Kan composes original material that combines traditional music from Great Britain and Ireland with Asturian jigs from Spain, Breton dances from France and modern jazz elements. Although the interplay of flutes, whistles and fiddles are in the forefront, rhythm, specially drums, plays an essential role in Kan’s music with inspired drum kit work and expert tempo changes.
The line-up includes virtuoso fiddler Aidan O’Rourke; flute and whistle maestro Brian Finnegan; accomplished bassist and guitarist Ian Stephenson; and skillful drummer and percussionist Jim Goodwin.
Brian Finnegan is from Armagh in the North of Ireland. He is one of the founders of the now legendary band Flook, which took an extended break at the end of last year. Finnegan participates in numerous projects, including a recent solo album.
Aidan O’Rourke hails from Scotland’s Isle of Seil. He is best known as one of the members of Lau, one of the most reputable contemporary folk music bands from Scotland. His latest solo album is titled An Tobar.
Young guitarist and bassist Ian Stephenson is from Selby in Yorkshire, who grew up listening to Flook and Lau and fulfilled his dream of performing with some of his favorite musicians.
Manchester drummer Jim Goodwin contributes his drumming skills, elevating percussion to a prominent role.
Kan has a solid reputation as an excellent live act. You can clearly see this in this live performance of ‘Coriolis’ and ‘Hold Up the Sky’:
Sleeper is an essential albums for fans of innovative contemporary Celtic music.
Buy Sleeper in North America
Buy Sleeper in Europe
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
