Nua Teorainn

Co-operative effort in the music business is a rare phenomenon these days. Unless motivated by the promise of commercial gain, that is. Happily, Smol/Seed soars in refreshing defiance of this tired stereotype.

The political story behind this 15 track collection will be documented elsewhere. Its musical pedigree however, is impeccable.

From Martin Hayes' opening salvo, 'The Brown Coffin', characteristically scant and denuded, to Mairtmn O'Connor's impish, dodging 'Wind In The Woods' or Andy Irvine's contemplative 'The Monument (Lest We Forget)', there's fodder for the curious and the convert alike.

The roll call is as long as it is heady. Cormac Breathnach's flute, Tommy Hayes' puckish percussion, Ronan Browne's pipes and Karan Casey and Finola O'Siocrz's pure vocals fit together with not a whiff of ego to be found anywhere.

Aside from its puzzlingly confused moniker, Nua Teorainn (surely it should be Teorainn Nua?), is a solid if somewhat workmanlike collection of tunes and songs from Green Linnet's current roster.

All the elements of a welcome filibuster are there: Liz Carroll, Lznasa, Patrick Street, Kevin Burke, Kmla, alongside some of the 'Linnet's Scottish signings such as Andy M. Stewart and Wolfstone join the fray. Yet the common ground is rarely found, and all too often what emerges between the tracks is a jagged-edged cacophony of sound that severs rather than unites the collection.

Of course there are tasters aplenty. June Tabor's 'Pharaoh' was one that sent me to the local record peddler straight away, gasping for more. So too, Patrick Street's 'Stewball And The Monaghan Grey Mare', a timely reminder of just how good that legendary ensemble really are.

Still, somehow, the magic dust is missing. This collection has all the hallmarks of a commercial proposition, great on paper, one dimensional in execution.