Nahoo

Not the first Gaelic/world/techno fusion, but likely to be the first Scottish/Brazilian mix-up. For Nahoo leader Paul Mounsey, it's a matter of touching base with his roots and finding the "inherent groove" in Scottish folk music, while incorporating influences from his current home of Brazil; the techno element is purely commercial appeal, at a guess, but it's definitely done in a clever way. The Brazilian element is a bit more subtle than the Scottish, but you won't miss it. The tunes themselves run the gamut from dancefloor blasts, such as the cover of Runrig's "Alba," to new age variants on the laments of those who went to or lust for America ("Stranger in a Strange Land") to a track that is likely to fool listeners into thinking they're hearing Mike Oldfield ("As Terras Baixas Da Holanda"). None of this is particularly essential stuff, but that's far from the point of Mounsey's exercise here -- he's reflecting his roots, having a good time, and doing something that's absolutely fun to listen to. If you want to delve more into the roots of what he's done, his sleeve notes provide credits for his source material, and where to find the pure or original forms. ~ Steven McDonald|