Quest under Capricorn
Shaolin Afronauts
Keywords
Reviews (3)
The Irish times
d. 9. Aug. 2019
By
By
Siobhan Long
d. 9. Aug. 2019
"Celebrating the elemental qualities inherent in our musical tradition, this collaboration between east Clare fiddle player, Martin Hayes and Brooklyn Rider, (aptly described as an "omnivorous" string quartet by 251 Records) is a masterclass in risk-taking and at the same time an unapologetic doffing of their collective caps to the seemingly simple tunes that form the backbone of most early traditional musicians' repertoires ... A collection best savoured slowly, again and again".
Folk radio UK
d. 28. Aug. 2019
By
By
Matt McGinn
d. 28. Aug. 2019
"Martin Hayes has always pushed the boundaries of Irish Traditional music and in doing so has helped its journey from the traditional Irish home, to concert halls all around the world. Whether intentionally or not, he is one of the reasons why Traditional melodies are held in such revere, both musically and culturally. This collaboration shows that, thankfully, he has no plans in resting on his laurels. Brooklyn Rider add colour and shape to the aura of Martin Hayes fiddle. It was always there, but now we can finally experience it in technicolour".
Songlines
2019 November
By
By
Matt Milton
2019 November
"Top of the world" - "Irish folk/classical pairing that really takes flight ... The title-track is a great example of the unit's approach: Brooklyn Rider tease us with three minutes of impressionistic chamber music reminiscent of Bartók before Hayes breaks in with the tune proper. This delayed gratification approach is risky but pays off; it's a trick re-deployed on 'Bob and Bernie' and other tracks. Classical arrangements that seem wholly at odds with well-known trad tunes resolve themselves in context, like statements in a friendly argument. The best track arrives last. 'Hole in the Hedge' has a beautiful arrangement, with Brooklyn Rider snaking jazz-like chromatic coils around Hayes' fiddle lines. It's a fitting end to the album, recalling New York's own tradition of romantic, jazz-influenced composers; as if Gershwin were remembering a downtown Irish session he had wandered into".