Coscán

Dinnseanchas (Lore of Places) Claddagh Records ***

Who says that the spirit of adventure in traditional music is dampened by convention? Not by Coscán, an all-male foursome whose original tunes run the gamut of Irish, Asturian and Galician traditions, with a cap doffed in the direction of eastern Europe.

Harry Long's whistles are a signature of this sprightly collection, as is David Nevin's cosmopolitan percussion, and the pair's subtle yet driving Caballocould just as easily have been brewed in the plains of Asturia as in the rolling hills of Meath. Their choice of title, Dinnsheanchas (Lore of Places), reflects the foursome's appetite for foraging deep beneath the surface for the character of a tune. Their song choices are less compelling, and a touch less mood enhancement on keyboards might have served them even better. www.claddaghrecords.com

Download track: The Tara Jig