The follow on from Onward, the duo of Tina Eck on flutes and whistle and Keith Carr on bouzouki, banjo and mandolin have retained their distinctive sound yet extended the set combination and tune arrangements to create a reach and progression that cleverly utilises the additional guest musicians to add a volume and depth to their already solid sound.

The master of moderately paced solo intros into which the breathy echo of flute or defined placement of string serves to join is evident on a number of tracks and the tempo changes that transition tune to tune also keeps an edge to sets such as Eddie Kelly’s and The Messenger reel sets. A nice touch sees the latter set enhanced by the Sean–nós dance percussion of Shannon Dunne. The Altan influenced jigs in the form of Old Hag from a Foreign Land and Dermot Byrne’s flow easily from Ecks’s flute with Carr providing the foundation of strings alongside the anchor of Josh Duke’s bodhran which paves the way for the Galway Reel set which lights an energetic fire enhanced by the additional guitar and fiddle. The standout for me though is the use of the cello when combined with the flute and strings on the beautiful air, Planxty Dermot Grogan, and the combination of vocal on the Dirk Powell penned Waterbound.

These guys love their music and are not afraid to push their play into new territory and experiment with additional instrumental. When they do this, it really works and is a listening pleasure.