Salsa Celtica

It's like haggis with a side of arroz con pollo. Conceived in some Lonely Planet chat room I'm sure, Salsa Celtica is an exercise in common ground and, after three albums of this uncommon hybrid, they have left the experimental stage behind and have settled into a comfortable repertoire. El Agua de la Vida integrates South and Central American beats, horn shots, piano riffs and singing with British/Celtic model melodies, haunting instruments (bagpipes, penny whistles) and themes. In fact the integration is complete right down to the song titles — "Whisky Con Ron," and "Ave Maria De Escocia" ("Hail Mary of Scotland") to name a few. Salsa Celtica is proof music is a bridge over borders.