Instrumental virtuosity is on a steady upward curve, fuelled, at least to some degree, by the proliferation of under- and post-graduate degree programmes in which promising players can hothouse their talents in the best company. This London five-piece have no shortage of fine musicians, with Órlaith McAuliffe on flute and whistle taking flight with neither a parachute nor a safety net in sight. Her own tune set, The Surprise Package, and its opener, One for Grandad O'Dowd, echo the fine, sinuous lines of Lúnana's reading of Pierre Bensusan's The Last Pint . Meanwhile, her flute duet with Sam Proctor on the The Chicago Jig is a masterclass in empathy and phrasing. Rosie Hodgson's unprepossessing vocals struggle to reach the heights of the instrumentalists, but this debut hints at a formidable live set, if CrossHarbour are given a corner to pitch their tent in.
crossharbourmusic.com