CD Reviews
 David
kitt
Not Fade Away
Irish pop music is a genre jam-packed at the minute with willowy singer-songwriters
each sounding largely the same and moving like revolving troubadors through
the same venues in Britain, Ireland and indeed the world.
But there is something different about David Kitt.
He is a musician who has yet to find his sound. The first two albums he
recorded were muddling affairs in which American blues, dark electronica
and the maudlin rock music of Nick Drake mixed in a not altogether satisfactory
series of songs which hinted at much but delivered little except half-baked
originality.
But the Dublin man’s third album Not Fade Away released in Britain
this month is a much cleverer affair. There is more clarity to the songwriting,
and less electronic noise.
This is Kitt’s finest recording to date. Say No More is a particular
highlight, and while he has a way to go before he achieves his full musical
potential. This album deserves to introduce him to a wider audience.
David Thorpe
Dervish
Spirit
By David Thorpe
Irish traditional music at its best has evolved past the diddly-dee stuff
which so appeals to American tourists and city folk. It now infuses the
charm of the classic trad tunes with the vibrancy of Celtic tiger Ireland.
And Dervish are the best trad group operating from Ireland at present.
They often make the oldest of songs seem like new music in their hands.
The Sligo seven-piece feature four musicians who are All-Ireland champions
in their instruments. Seven people in a band could be a recipe for disaster,
but Dervish seem to thrive on it.
Old stagers like flautist Liam Kelly bring the best of traditional to
this album, while singer Cathy Jordan carries the audience with her through
traditional favourites like “The Bould Doherty” and the excellent
“Peigin Moi Chroi”.
If you are a traditional music fan then this album is a must. If you
are not a trad fan, then there is no better place to start than by getting
into the spirit of Dervish.
Axwell
Watch The Sunrise
By Phil Savva
CURRENTLY enjoying chart success in the guise of Supermode with the highly-infectious
Tell Me Why, Axwell now releases a new single under his own name.
Featuring the vocals of Steve Edwards (lately to be heard on Bob Sinclair’s
World Hold On) this is a lively and real feelgood tune.
Has reggae/latino overtones alongside a solid dancefloor beat. Available
in the customary mix variations.
Eastman
Her Comes The Rain Again
By Phil Savva
SAMPLING has always been popular on dancefloor tracks but it seems to
be all the rage at the moment.
On this number Eastwood takes The Eurythmics Here Comes The Rain Again
and revamps it with a smooth, laid-back, chill-out sound.
Takes a while to grow on you but it will. As always comes in several versions.
Pentatonik
Last One And The First
Phil Savva
COMING under the banner of electronica this catchy little number features
the vocals of one of the most popular singers in the field today —
Kirsty Hawkshaw.
Again more of a chill-out feel to it rather than all-out rave anthem.
Don’t think it will ever set the floor alight so to speak but has
a certain appeal of its own and is worth a listen to.
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