Volume 1: Sound Magic

Volume 1: Sound Magic
Studio album by Afro Celt Sound System
Released	24 September 1996 (1996-09-24)
Recorded	1995, February 1996
Studios	Sonic Innovation, London Real World Studios, Box
Genres	World worldbeat ethnic electronica Afrobeat Celtic fusion
Length	65:53
Label	Real World
Producers	Ron Aslan Martin Russell Simon Emmerson Jo Bruce
Afro Celt Sound System chronology
Volume 1: Sound Magic (1996) Volume 2: Release (1999)
Singles from Volume 1: Sound Magic
"Whirl-Y-Reel" Released: 1997

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
MusicHound World

Volume 1: Sound Magic is the first album by Afro Celt Sound System, released on 24 September 1996 through Real World Records.

Track listing

Volume 1: Sound Magic track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Saor (Free) / News from Nowhere" a. "Saor (Free)" b. "News from Nowhere"	Browne, Bruce a. Browne b. Bruce	8:21
2.	"Whirl-y-Reel 1 (Beard and Sandals Mix)"	Emmerson, McNally	7:21
3.	"Inion (Daughter)"	Bruce, Ó Lionáird	4:15
4.	"Sure-As-Not / Sure-As-Knot (Jungle Segue)" a. "Sure-As-Not" b. "Sure-As-Knot (Jungle Segue)"	Emmerson, Russell, Cissokho, Myrdhin a. Emmerson, Russell, Cissokho, Myrdhin b. Emmerson	9:58
5.	"Nil Cead Againn Dul Abhaile (We Cannot Go Home)"	Aslan, Jules Brookes, Ogada, Ó Lionáird, Cissokho	7:20
6.	"Dark Moon, High Tide" (including "Farewell to Eireann")	Spillane, Emmerson, Russell	4:12
7.	"Whirl-y-Reel 2 (Folk Police Mix)"	Emmerson, Spillane	5:28
8.	"House of the Ancestors"	Ogada, Bruce, Ó Lionáird	8:01
9.	"Eistigh Liomsa Sealad (Listen to Me) / Saor Reprise" a. "Eistigh Liomsa Sealad (Listen to Me)" b. "Saor Reprise"	traditional, arranged by Emmerson, Russell, Lavelle, Ó Lionáird, Myrdhin, Cissokho, Browne a. traditional, arranged by Emmerson, Russell, Lavelle, Ó Lionáird, Myrdhin, Cissokho, Browne b. Browne	10:53

Personnel

• Ronan Browne – flute, mandolin, harmonium, uilleann pipes
• Jo Bruce – keyboards, programming
• Kauwding Cissokho – kora
• Massamba Diop – talking drum
• Simon Emmerson – guitar, programming
• James McNally – accordion, bodhrán
• Iarla Ó Lionáird – vocals
• Ayub Ogada – vocals
• Martin Russell – keyboards, programming
• Davy Spillane – uilleann pipes

Additional personnel

• Malcolm Crosbie – guitar
• Simon Edwards – sintir
• Gary Finlayson – banjo
• John Fortis – bass, loops
• Angus R. Grant – fiddle
• Manu Katché – cymbals
• Caroline Lavelle – cello
• James MacKintosh – bongos
• Ian MacLeod – mandolin
• Levon Minassian – doudouk
• Myrdhin – harp
• Zil – vocal drone

Chart positions

Album

Chart (1996–1997)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	53
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)	32
UK Albums (Official Charts)	59
US World Albums (Billboard)	15

Single

Chart (1997)	Peak position
UK Singles (Official Charts)	91