Lesson Objectives:
To understand the three musical styles that make up the fusion of ‘Release’
To be able to identify and recognise the different instruments and languages that are heard in ‘Release’
To know the overall structure of ‘Release’
To understand what a drone is and the notes of the Aeolian mode
To analyse the introduction, verse 1 and break
Begin looking at a composition task
Afro Celt Sound System
This set work is one of two fusion pieces (the other being Samba Em Preludio).
Fusion is when a number of musical styles, usually from different cultures, are combined to form a new ‘sound’.
In Samba Em Preludio: Samba + Jazz = Bossa Nova
With the increase in overseas travel, people have become more aware of the incredible music from other cultures. This is celebrated every year at WOMAD (World Of Music, Arts And Dance)
The Afro Celt Sound System is more a collaboration of musicians than a set band, with guest artists being invited to feature.
It began in 1995 with guitarist Simon Emmerson wanting to hear what would happen if he brought together musicians from different cultures to improvise over techno drum grooves.
The name Afro Celt Sound System gives away the fusion of styles and cultures:
Afro—The sounds of West African Music
Celt—The sounds of traditional Irish music
Sound System– The sounds of Western pop electronic dance music
West African Instruments
PLEASE CLICK ON THE INSTRUMENT BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
KORA
DJEMBE
TALKING DRUM
Celtic Instruments
PLEASE CLICK ON THE INSTRUMENT BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
UILLEAN PIPES
HURDY-GURDY
BODHRAN
LOW WHISTLE
FIDDLE
ACCORDIAN
Western Dance Music
Here is a list of instruments and technology heard on ‘Release’
Male and female vocals, various synth pads, samples, loops, electric pianos, drum machine, bass guitar, shaker, tambourine and various effects such as reverb and panning.
Release: Structure
Introduction
The beginning sets the scene with a synth pad drone (a continuous low pitched note) on C which continues throughout most of the track.
It’s safe to say then that the key is C, though it is not clear yet what the tonality is—major or minor.
Gradually as more parts come in, the following notes are heard.
The key signature of C minor is 3 flats (Bb, Eb and Ab) The 7th note in a minor scale is always raised a semitone, so it should be B natural not B flat.
This scale is in fact the Aeolian mode starting on C. The Aeolian mode is like the minor scale, without the raised 7th note. It shares exactly the same notes as it’s relative major—in this case Eb major
For example, C major has no sharps or flats so it’s relative minor, A minor, also has no sharps or flats. The Aeolian Mode starting on A has exactly the same notes as C major, just starting on a different note.
Building up the layers:
The introduction of ‘Release’ builds with more and more layers added.
The synth pad drone has no regular pulse panning from left to right speaker—it is free and has no metre.
Next a talking drum solo is used to create an atmosphere rather than a pulse.
A shaker enters, which adds a sense of pulse, but the metre is still not clear.
The bodhran drum enters and the metre of 4/4 is established.
This 4 bar bodhran loop is the rhythmic backbone of the track. All other rhythms work with and against this, creating polyrhythms.
It is really a 1 bar ostinato with slight changes including accents
After spoken male African vocals, Sinead O’Connor enters with a descending melody sung to ‘ahh’ which forms the basis for the rest of the vocal melodies in the song.
Added to this is a 4 bar synth loop made up of synth strings, synth bells and synth pad against different percussion loops including tambourine, shaker and drums.
A loop is a short repeated passage. In ‘Release’ these loops are mainly 4 bars long. These are layered on top of each other and are faded in and out of the mix creating an ever changing texture.
Verse 1
After the 1st verse is an 8 bar instrumental break. The bodhran and percussion loops continue. Added to this are a 4 bar syncopated bass line and breath sample loops.
Review Questions:
1) Name the three musical styles that make up Afro Celt Sound System
2) Name two West African instruments heard in ‘Release’
3) Name three Celtic instruments heard in ‘Release’
4) Name three Western Dance music instruments heard in ‘Release’
5) What is the tonality of ‘Release’?
6) What is the difference between an harmonic minor scale and the Aeolian mode?
7) What is a drone and which note is the drone in ‘Release’?