Pod [CD & DVD]

• Artist: Afro Celt Sound System
• Rating:
• Release Date: May 04, 2004
• Type: Compilation (best of), Collection (various artists), Enhanced CD-ROM
• Genre: Rock

Review

Worldbeat ambassadors Afro Celt Sound System go the remix route on the two-disc set Pod. Essentially a career overview, Pod features 13 tracks culled from the group's ten-year history remixed by various bandmembers and DJs. Each song mixes in live bass and drums, adding a heavy backbeat to the band's swirling, genre-bending epics. Though each track is listed separately, the recording works as one solid piece with transitions that flow effortlessly into one another. The remixes themselves focus heavily on the thundering, tribal assault of the collective's live shows, occasionally veering off into ambient landscapes -- Rae & Christian's take on "Persistence of Memory" is like an audio version of the ocean floor. "Whirly 3" and "Eireann" do the best job at conveying the System's Celtic leanings, building a relentless pulse around serpentine uillean pipes. The rest is perfectly executed, occasionally innovative, and mostly unnecessary. Fans will be disappointed by the lack of "actual" new material, and listeners with distaste for Real World's militant attention to sonic detail will find little comfort. The real gem is the second disc, a beautifully crafted DVD that includes live footage in Seattle at the WOMAD festival and videos for "When You're Falling," "North," and "Persistence of Memory." ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Rise Above [Remix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(6:17)
Johnny at Sea [Mix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(4:48)
Persistence of Memory [Remix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(5:14)
Further in Time [Remix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(7:45)
Full Moon Low Tide [Fantasista Re-Formation Remix]	Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(4:34)
Release [Remix]	James McNally, Sinéad O'Connor, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(4:58)
Release It [Masters at Work Segue/DJ Edit]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(1:20)
Whirly 3 [Remix]	James McNally, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(7:54)
Riding the Skies [Remix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(6:04)
Éireann [Remix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(6:17)
Release [Remix]	James McNally, Sinéad O'Connor, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(5:30)
When You're Falling [Remix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(4:37)
Lagan [Remix]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System	(4:36)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Persistence of Memory [DVD]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System
When You're Falling [DVD]	James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System
North [DVD]	Manu Dibango, James McNally, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson	Afro Celt Sound System

Credits

Masters at Work (Remixing), Toshio Matsuura (Remixing), James McNally (Accordion), James McNally (Harmonium), James McNally (Whistle (Human)), James McNally (Producer), James McNally (Compilation), James McNally (String Arrangements), James McNally (Editing), James McNally (Remixing), James McNally (Drum Programming), James McNally (Mixing), James McNally (Keyboard Programming), James McNally (Low Whistle), Martin Russell (Producer), Martin Russell (Engineer), Martin Russell (Compilation), Martin Russell (String Arrangements), Martin Russell (Editing), Martin Russell (Remixing), Martin Russell (Mixing), Martin Russell (Keyboard Programming), Martin Russell (Group Member), Simon Emmerson (Bouzouki), Simon Emmerson (Mandolin), Simon Emmerson (Keyboards), Simon Emmerson (Programming), Simon Emmerson (Producer), Simon Emmerson (Compilation), Simon Emmerson (Editing), Simon Emmerson (Remixing), Simon Emmerson (Mixing), Simon Emmerson (Group Member), Myrdhin (Celtic Harp), Myrdhin (Group Member), Sister Bliss (Remixing), Derek Edward (Graphic Design), Afro Celt Sound System (Main Performer), Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez (Remix Producer), Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez (Group Member), Rollo (Remixing), Johnny Kalsi (Percussion), Johnny Kalsi (Tabla), Johnny Kalsi (Dhol), Johnny Kalsi (Group Member), Rae & Christian (Remixing), Louie Vega (Remix Producer), Louie Vega (Group Member), Mairead Nesbitt (Fiddle), Mairead Nesbitt (Guest Appearance), Pentagon (Programming), Pentagon (Mixing), Mark Bates (Keyboards), Grippa (Engineer), Emer Mayock (Flute), Emer Mayock (Uillean Pipes), Emer Mayock (Group Member), N'Faly Kouyate (Vocals), N'Faly Kouyate (Balafon), N'Faly Kouyate (Kora), N'Faly Kouyate (Group Member), Ian Markin (Guest Appearance), Bipolar (Remixing), Nula Friedman (Fiddle), Nula Friedman (Guest Appearance)