Recording

Dermot Hyde and Tom Hake's debut album, pipeline represents a break from the everyday run-of-the-mill Celtic music production. Indeed, all the ingredients are there – highly-polished dance music and songs, as well as the moving airs of Ireland, Scotland and Galicia. But the listener is pleasantly surprised by a whole bunch of new tunes, as well as songs he's never heard before. And it's not just the repertoire that gets to us - a subtle and well-arranged CD is what we're dealing with here.

Hyde and Hake's choice of material is complemented by vibrant innovative playing which makes a live presentation on stage turn into something sparkling. The two multi-instrumentalists cover the complete range of sounds from the Celtic world on a wide variety of instruments from bagpipes, whistles and flutes, to bouzoukis, harps and guitars. And of course the human voice is well represented not only in the interpretation of three songs written by Dermot Hyde, but it is employed at times, almost as a melody instrument in itself.

The new album is further enhanced by guest appearances from Uxia, one of Galicia's finest female singers, and by Paddy Kerr, a veritable virtuoso of a bodhrán player, who brings with him from the West of Ireland an extraordinary feeling for all that is rhythmic within in the Celtic spirit.

"This excellently made album is a music for any lover of the uilleann pipes and whistle, with wonderful playing by Dermot Hyde. Definitely one to have in your collection. Congratulations!"

Paddy Moloney
The Chieftains, Dublin.