Afro Celt Sound System is a band formed back in 1995. It includes a very large number of band members and often features guest artists too.

The music they play, and their band name, is all about the fusion of different musical styles: West African, Celtic and electronic music. Bringing together the styles and approaches of these vastly different musical cultures has produced something new, original and eclectic. The music is all about creating a sense of togetherness and features a lot of lively improvisation over a recurring beat. Clapping and audience participation in their live performances is encouraged!

After the recording of their first album, band member James McNally said: "....None of us knew if it would work. We were strangers who didn't even speak the same language. But we were bowled over by this communication that took place beyond language."

Their second album was entitled "Volume 2: Release" and came out in 1999. It was nominated for a Grammy award in 2000. We will explore the opening song from the album, "Release".

Fusion in music has happened for centuries and has caused many genres to be born and to evolve.

Famous fusions:

• Hamilton is a musical that fused a number of musical styles including rap, pop and the blues. "What'd I Miss" starts with a hip-hop introduction and then quickly goes into a lively jazz and boogie-woogie number (listen from 1'35).

• The band Muse often fuse elements of rock music with classical (specifically Romanticism). "Butterflies and Hurricanes" has a propelling rock beat but includes a string orchestra and features a virtuosic piano solo in the middle with lots of arpeggios and chromatic, Romantic harmony.

• Fela Kuti was a prolific political activist and musician from Nigeria who is often regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, a style that fuses funk, jazz, African and Cuban music.

Fusion also brought about the style of bossa nova, which is explored in Esperanza Spalding's world.

Because "Release" is a fusion song by nature, the first thing to explore are the different musical worlds that go into it before considering other musical elements that feature in the song.

Release is essentially about being happy through music and celebrating being together. Tragically, Jo Bruce - who was a founding band member of the first album - died as their second album was just getting off the ground. The band were completely devastated but were still determined to carry on, which perhaps led to "Release" holding more emotional depth than their earlier music.

Looking at the English lyrics, it's almost as though it is a narrative by Jo Bruce himself, having passed away:

Don't argue amongst yourselves

Because of the loss of me,

I'm sitting amongst yourselves,

Don't think you can't see me.

Don't argue amongst yourselves

Because of the loss of me,

I haven't gone anywhere

But out of my body

Reach out and you'll touch me,

Make effort to speak to me,

Call out and you'll hear me,

Be happy for me

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