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(2022) DLÙ - Moch
Review:
With four of the group members first meeting at Glasgow’s Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, the city’s, indeed Scotland’s, first all-Gaelic school, DLÙ are establishing themselves as proud Gàidheil Ghlaschu, (Glasgow Gaels), torch-bearers. Immersion in the Gaelic language and culture was a given, but in addition, musically, students were given full encouragement to explore in an all-embracing manner by a music department that enjoyed an enviable reputation. The seeds sown by this panoptic approach were to have an important influence on the group and thus on this release. Soon after their formation, the original quartet of Moilidh NicGriogair (violin), Zach Ronan (accordion), Aidan Spiers (electric guitar) and Andrew Grossart (drums) realised the need for a bass to complement the drums. Thus Jack Dorrian was recruited, and the five-piece instrumental line-up was established. For Moch, another former school friend Joseph McCluskey features as guest vocalist. The band’s name is derived from the Gaelic word ‘dlùth’, which translates into English both as ‘closeness’ and also the warp of woven cloth, each being highly appropriate, with the former a reflection of their friendship and cohesion as a group, the latter as a description of the various musical influences, such as rock, classical, pop and funk, that permeate their music and weave, as weft threads, around a traditional core. Except for a couple of traditional pieces, this predominantly instrumental album comprises self-composed material, mainly, as might be expected, sets of tunes, the quality of which fulfils the expectations befitting a quintet who were nominated for the MG Alba Scots Trad Upcoming Artist of The Year Award in 2019. The album’s title, Moch, ‘the start of things, a dawning’ in English, is again a most apposite choice, one that is further reinforced as the name of the first track on the album. Comprising two tunes, the opening drone-like sounds and foreboding fiddle of Moilidh’s An Lochlannach perfectly conjured up images of red-sky dawns before a sudden cut introduces the second tune, Zach’s Off the Cuff, a wildly enthusiastic piece with insistent drum beats and dynamic accordion that leaves one breathless just listening. Setting the tone for what is to follow, it is difficult to believe that anyone could fail to be captivated by these dramatic sounds. What does follow is a set of three differing tunes. The first of these, Am Politician, is a polka. It gets its name from the only pub on the island of Eriskay, the fiddle and accordion blending in perfect harmony, before the middle section jig, sounding at times almost electronic, with additional crashing guitar riffs, leads into the final reel, awash with Balkan-like accordion. The first of the two songs on the release to feature Joseph is Ràcan (Drake), a traditional Gàidhlig song A’ Ràcan a Bh’ Againne telling of a stolen drake. Following a brief introductory funereal-like instrumental tune which acts as a prologue, this funk and rock imbued song kicks off with booming drum and bass beats, with exotic electric guitar before the vocals are delivered, at breakneck speed, in the traditional Scottish Puirt à beul style in which the voice and use of Gaelic lyrics are used to mimic instruments. Another, literally, breathtaking piece. A nod to the studio on the Isle of Lewis where three of the album’s tracks were recorded, Bàgh Dubh, (Black Bay), contains three tunes, the title one being an accordion-led slow reel which leads into a reel Pandan Valley, which features some stunning electric guitar, which when listened to in isolation is redolent of Dan Ar Bras at his very best. The closing tune of the set Djordje’s Jig, dedicated to Zach’s accordion teacher Mr Djordje Gajic, fairly cracks along and again very much has the feel of the Balkans about it.Light and shade, together with the creation of different moods in which the music ebbs and flows, permeates the album. With the slow air Taobh na Mara (By the Sea), Moilidh’s plaintive violin, echoed by the accordion, evokes the beauty of the sea on a calm day, before, almost imperceptibly, drums and bass slide as the music flows, with the same melody, into the more raucous Kate’s Jig. Having the drums to the fore adds to the intensity and the dynamics throughout, making this a thrilling set. With the next offering, Anmoch (Evening), the first set ever arranged by the band, there is no letting up in the high-octane approach. That the band’s music might be described as traditional Scottish infused with funk could be merely a lazy trope. However, there is no escaping the fact that there is more than an element of truth in this less-than-adequate description. With Blue Reef, even the band themselves refer to the track as “the funky one”, and with good reason. The playing, at times, is at a speed that almost defies description, and there are so many twists and turns that really come as a shock to the senses, electric guitar solos, ambient breaks, plucked violin once again emulating electronic sounds. These beats are also present on Aiseirigh (Uprising)/Low Strength Beer, a set with so much going on in it that each listening reveals something new. Upliftingly joyous, Donalda’s is dedicated to Dr Donalda McComb, Headteacher at the Glasgow Gaelic School and an instrumental figure in inspiring so many, including the band, to work towards preserving the Gaelic language, culture and music. The set that follows this begins with Anthem, the solo violin sound developing as wah-wah effect guitar. More funky beats help develop the tune in an ever-climactic and dramatic way, finishing with Ralph’s Reel. My original notes from my first listening say “stunning”; after three more listens, that same word remains appropriate. Rounding off the album is Bràighe Loch Iall (The Braes of Loch Eil), another traditional Gàidhlig song from an unknown author around which the music was composed. Released as a single, with an accompanying video (see below), Moilidh and Joseph feature as lead vocalists, with, for the first time, vocals from other members of the group too; it is spellbinding. Being a bit of an outlier and not totally representative of the overall sound on the rest of the album, this may, however, be a portent of the group moving into different musical territories; at the very least, it is an indication of their undoubted talents and ability to perform across genres with consummate ease and skill, and greater use of Moilidh’s vocals could open even wider vistas. With the release of Moch, self-proclaimed ‘trad fusion’ band DLÙ have heralded themselves as a fresh, innovative and exciting band with a unique, original and eclectic sound. — folkradio.co.uk
Track List:
01.Moch (6:00)
02.Am politician (6:29)
03.Ràcan (5:51)
04.Bàgh Dubh (6:45)
05.Taobh na Mara (3:26)
06.Kate's Jig (3:59)
07.Anmoch (5:24)
08.Blue Reef (7:38)
09.Aiseirigh (5:10)
10 .Donalda's (4:22)
11.Anthem (4:49)
12.Bràighe Loch Iall (4:31)
13.Moch (Radio Edit) (4:26)
Media Report:
Genre: celtic, folk, world
Country: Scotland / UK
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits
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