ARC

Although this is only McGoldrick's fifth solo album in 22 years and his first since 2010, the genial Manchester-based flute, low whistle and uilleann pipes player hasn’t exactly been lazing around. On the contrary, his dizzying work-rate includes touring and recording in Mark Knopfler's band, an annual turn as a key player in the Transatlantic Sessions, membership of Capercaillie and Irish supergroup Usher's Island, as well as too many guest appearances to name. His collaborations with pan-genre artists from all around the world have especially influenced this collection; they tend to involve improvising and he ‘wrote the new tunes to try and build in that freedom for everyone involved’.

String quintet arrangements by longtime collaborator Donald Shaw, along with trumpet and brass arrangements from Neil Yates – who was involved with McGoldrick's very first band, Manchester favourites Toss The Feathers – reinforce the notion of a restlessly adventurous but rarely reckless artist who is both reflecting and building on an exceptional career. Mostly written by McGoldrick and including a live collaboration with African songstress Fatoumata Diawara recorded live at the 2012 Celtic Connections festival, ARC is an impressively rich and freewheeling statement from one of the most valued and cherished musicians working today.