REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

History - Broderick were formed as a result of a chance meeting at a session. Their two fiddles, Clare and Colm, provide an interesting approach live as they alternate on viola to provide a string section. A drummer in another life, Don, plays a fine accompanying guitar and - oh yes - Luke Daniels is in the group. They were heard by one Steafan Hannigan who immediately signed them to his label. A CD was recorded in three weeks.....

Present - "Kissing Fishes" is that CD and what an excellent debut offering it is. You can tell that a lot of love, care and attention has gone into this. At just under 50 minutes they've resisted the tendency to pad out to fill up. It's a lovely mixture of the traditional and the more recent with exciting surprises round each corner, fiddle led then accordion with subtle changes of mood. There's a fine production job been done as well, but it's what you would expect from Steafan.

There are some notable guests in James Fagan and James O'Grady, but it's the stunning vocals of Airavata which stand out. Her version of 'Do you love an apple?' brings memories flooding back. It is difficult to avoid comparisons with early bands like the Bothies or Relativity or, more recently, Deanta, but all comparisons will be favourable.

Future - Lots of festivals should mean lots of sales of 'Kissing Fishes'. Definitely worth a listen, you'll not be disappointed, I'm looking forward to seeing them live.

Dave Beeby