Elephant Sessions – For The Night (2022)
During the 90s, Afro Celt Sound System pioneered a specific and quite unique combination of African, Celtic, or more broadly said, folk music with electronica, beats, and funky rhythms. It was such a type of music that demanded a very broad knowledge of different folk music styles, but also the more current musical trends and genres and quite an expert level of musical capability to make such a musical combination work. A few decades on, not that many artists and bands ventured that route, exactly because of such high demands this musical combination demands. Yet, Elephant Sessions both dare and are capable to go such a route, and the results are quite evident on their latest album For The Night.
Elephant Sessions is composed of Euan Smillie (fiddle), Alasdair Taylor (mandolin), Seth Tinsley (bass, synth) and Greg Barry (drums, samples), and the quartet bases their musical mix on a strong Celtic connection and touches of other folk music with a pronounced inclusion of both electronics and beats. Throughout the album, the band show not only their wide knowledge of Celtic and other folk kinds of music but also of the modern concepts in electronic music and choosing the right beats. At the same time, their playing capabilities are no less than extraordinary and it seems that these ten years together have built an excellent synergy between band members.
Mandolin player Alasdair Taylor had this to say about the album: “It feels so good to be getting new music out there once again. With an epic summer of festival appearances in full swing, it feels like the perfect time to release something new and celebrate the magic that comes from making and playing new tracks. We’ve had a fantastic reaction from people who have jumped around to some of these tunes so far…we can’t wait to share the full lot with our fans from near and far. We want our music to make people move, to get lost underneath the lights – that’s what For The Night is all about.” Whatever the case is, with For The Night Elephant Sessions has come up with an album that can fill hearts, souls and the dance floor as well and with ease.
For more from Elephant Sessions check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
