Global InformationAfro Celt Sound System information
Afro Celt Sound System | |
|---|---|
 Afro Celt Soundsystem at TFF.Rudolstadt 2010. L.t.R: Johnny Kalsi, Simon Emmerson, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Ian Markin, N´Faly Kouyate, Emer Mayock, James McNally, Moussa Sissokho. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | ACSS, Afrocelts |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Ethnic electronica, worldbeat, Celtic fusion, Afrobeat |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Real World Records, EEC Records |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | afroceltsoundsystem |
Afro Celt Sound System are a European and African group who fuse electronic music with traditional Gaelic and West African music. Afro Celt Sound System were formed in 1995 by producer-guitarist Simon Emmerson, and feature a wide range of guest artists.[3] In 2003, they temporarily changed their name to Afrocelts before reverting to their original name.
Their albums have been released through Peter Gabriel's Real World Records,[4] and they have frequently performed at WOMAD festivals worldwide. Their sales on the label are exceeded only by Gabriel himself.[citation needed] Their recording contract with Real World was for five albums, of which Volume 5: Anatomic was the last.[5]
After a number of festival dates in 2007, the band went on hiatus. In 2010, they regrouped to play a number of shows (including a return to WOMAD),[6] releasing a re-mastered retrospective titled Capture.[7]
On 20 May 2014, Afro Celt Sound System announced the release of the album Born.[8] In January 2016, a posting to that website revealed that due to a dispute with Emmerson, who announced his departure from the band in 2015, there were two active versions of the band, a version led by Emmerson and a separate line-up headed by James McNally and Martin Russell. Emmerson's version of the band released the album The Source in 2016.[9] The dispute ended on 21 December 2016, with an announcement on social media.
The band released their seventh studio album, Flight, on 23 November 2018.[10][11][12]
- ^ Peter Gabriel, Real World Records (17 March 2023). "Simon Emmerson (1956–2023)". realworldrecords.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Simon Emmerson (12 March 1956 – 13 March 2023)". folkradio.co.uk. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ Harris, Graid. "Afro Celt Sound System Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ "Afro Celt Sound System". Real World Records.
- ^ Mann, Ian. "Review of Capture". TheJazzMann.com. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ "News » Real World Records – World music label". Real World Records. 19 September 2013. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "World music label". Real World Records. 19 September 2013. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Afro Celt Sound System". Afro Celt Sound System. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Afro Celt Sound System – Review". The Guardian. May 2016.
- ^ "Take Flight with Afro Celt Sound System". Folking.com. 12 September 2018. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ McFadyen, Neil (24 November 2018). "Afro Celt Sound System: Flight (Album Review) | Folk Radio UK". Folk Radio UK – Folk Music Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Spencer, Neil (25 November 2018). "Afro Celt Sound System: Flight review – unflagging spirit and invention". The Observer. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.