NOTIFY – Worlds Collide (Liosbeg Records, 2025)
NOTIFY, a six-piece contemporary instrumental ensemble from Ireland, has released an ambitious and extraordinary new live album, Worlds Collide. Recorded in May 2024 at Glór, Ennis, this release features a collaboration with the magnificent Irish Concertina Orchestra, comprised of 40 young musicians aged 10 to 18, as well as contributions from Cormac McCarthy and the MGCE Concert Orchestra.
On Worlds Collide, NOYTIFY and their collaborators deliver an exquisite, masterfully performed set of pieces. Throughout the album, the large ensemble expertly intertwines traditional Irish melodies and rhythms. Notably, their innovative instrumentation combines the old and the new, centered around the concertina and fiddle while supported by elegant electric guitar, piano, bass, and percussion, along with finely crafted orchestral arrangements.
Founded by concertina virtuoso Pádraig Rynne, NOTIFY’s lineup includes Tara Breen (fiddle), Davie Ryan (drums/percussion), Adam Taylor (bass), Rory McCarthy (piano/Fender Rhodes), and Hugh Dillon (guitar).
NOTIFY’s discography reflects their evolution. Their debut album, NOTIFY (2013), reached No. 20 on the iTunes World Music charts, while their second release, InConcept, under American jazz label Ropeadope, claimed No. 1 on the iTunes Jazz charts. Their third album, Airnéan (2024), received critical acclaim, earning the Irish Times’ title of Best Trad/Folk Album of the Year and securing a spot on RTE Radio One’s “recommended” playlist. The record featured notable guest musicians such as Tyler Duncan, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, and Niall McCabe.
Renowned for high-profile collaborations, NOTIFY has shared stages and studio sessions with Grammy-winning musicians Mark Lettieri and Jason Thomas of Snarky Puppy, as well as celebrated artists Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Kris Drever.
Buy Worlds Collide.
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.